Headlines
Supreme Council for Shari’ah appoints Bashir Aliyu Umar as new president

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has appointed its Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, as the new President of the Council following the death of its former leader, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made in a statement released by the Council’s Secretary General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, who described Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing on Monday as a profound loss to the Council and the broader Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
Offering prayers for the late cleric, the Council noted that Dr Bashir’s appointment was made in line with the organisation’s constitution and established procedures.

“The Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON, has been unanimously confirmed as the new President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We express our full confidence in Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Shari’ah and justice.”
The Council added that a new Vice President will be announced in due course and called for continued prayers and support from the Muslim community as it pursues its mission to uphold Islamic principles across the country.
Dr Bashir is widely respected in the fields of Islamic studies and Islamic finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Hadith and Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Madinah and has served on several key national and international Shari’ah and Islamic banking committees, including the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and the Council of Experts on Islamic Banking under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Headlines
Emir Sanusi Calls for Reinstatement of National Amirul Hajj to Strengthen Pilgrimage Leadership

The Emir of Kano, His Highness Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Government to reinstate the position of a National Amirul Hajj, a revered tradition that once provided strong leadership and coordination for Nigerian pilgrims during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement signed by the Kano Pligrims spokesperson Sulaiman Dederi the Emir made the appeal Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board at his palace.
He emphasized the historic and spiritual importance of appointing a National Amirul Hajj, describing the role as deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and dating back to the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who advocated for the appointment of leaders to guide pilgrims on their sacred journey.
“This is a time-honored Islamic practice that ensures order, discipline, and effective representation of our nation during the Hajj exercise,” the Emir stated. “Reviving this position is not just symbolic—it is necessary for the spiritual, administrative, and diplomatic success of our pilgrimage missions.”
The Emir further stressed that the consistent appointment of a National Amirul Hajj would enhance Nigeria’s coordination during Hajj operations and ensure the welfare of pilgrims across all states.

Earlier, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, informed the Emir that the Board was at the palace to formally invite him to attend the final Hajj demonstration scheduled at the Hajj Camp in Kano.
He disclosed that all preparations had been finalized for the airlift of pilgrims from the state, which is set to begin on May 13, 2025.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, commended the Emir for his consistent support and advocacy for the welfare of pilgrims.
He joined the call for the Federal Government to prioritize the reappointment of a National Amirul Hajj, saying it would further solidify Nigeria’s image and leadership among the global Muslim community.
The visit reflects a growing call among Hajj stakeholders for stronger central coordination of the pilgrimage, especially as thousands of Nigerian Muslims prepare for this year’s journey to the Holy Land.

Headlines
Gov. Yusuf Praises NUJ’s New Digital Frontier, Celebrates Dangambo’s Innaguration

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has heartily congratulated Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo on his emergence as the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
Governor Yusuf described Dangambo’s election as a significant step towards strengthening professionalism and ethical journalism in the digital media space.
He commended the leadership of the NUJ Kano Council under the able leadership of Comrade Sulieman Dederi for the successful establishment of the Online Media Chapel, which he said will complement the efforts of traditional media in promoting truth, fairness, and integrity.

The Governor expressed confidence that under Dangambo’s leadership, the Online Media Chapel would set a new standard for responsible and development-driven journalism in Kano State and beyond.
He assured of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote credible information dissemination, media development, and the unity of practitioners.
Governor Yusuf wished Comrade Dangambo and the entire executive council a successful and impactful tenure, urging them to work diligently in fostering professionalism, building capacity, and enhancing the role of online journalism in the state’s growth and progress.

Headlines
Kano judicial commission suspends 2 court registrars, warns 2 judges

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary action against two court registrars and two Upper Shari’a Court judges over misconduct.

KANO FOCUS reports that this is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary Baba Jibo Ibrahim, in Kano.
He said that the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the JSC’s 80th meeting held on April 22, 2025.
He said the commission, in line with its mandate, adopted the recommendations of the investigation carried out by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) and resolved to suspend and issue formal warnings to them.
Those suspended are: Ibrahim Adamu, Principal Registrar II of the Kano High Court and Maigida Lawan, Principal Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
The commission has also issued a warning letter to Upper Sharia Court Judges Alkali Mansur Ibrahim and Nasiru Ahmad.
Ibrahim said Adamu, a Principal Registrar II of the Kano High Court of Justice, was suspended without pay for six months.
“His promotion is deferred after a finding that confirmed he verbally assaulted and attempted to use physical force against his superior officer, amounting to gross misconduct in violation of the provisions of the Kano State Civil Service Rules 2004 and the JSC Regulations.
“This is the second time Adamu has appeared before an investigative committee for violence-related actions at work, and he has been issued a series of queries.”
The commission found Adamu’s actions to be grossly unbecoming of his office and imposed the appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
The statement said Lawan, a Principal Registrar of the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal, was suspended without pay for six months, immediately, after being found guilty of demanding and accepting improper gratification under false pretences.
“The commission adopted the recommendation of the JPCC, and Lawan was demoted by one grade level (from GL-13 down to GL-12).”
He said that the commission issued a warning to Malam Mansur Ibrahim, an Upper Shari’a Court judge, after evidence confirmed he used insulting and abusive language towards a litigant.
The JSC also issued a formal warning to Nasiru Ahmad, an Upper Shari’a Court judge, for ordering the detention of a judgment debtor in a manner that suggested personal interest and compromised judicial impartiality.
He emphasised that discretionary powers must be exercised with the utmost fairness and objectivity to preserve public confidence in the judiciary.
The JSC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and corruption.
“These measures underscore the State Commission’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.
“All judicial officers and staff are reminded to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the honour and trust vested in them by the people of Kano State.”
He warned all court staff not to engage in any corrupt practices, as anyone found engaging in corruption will be directed to proceed on compulsory retirement, as the JSC will not condone any act of corruption.
