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Why we cannot defend Abduljabbar Kabara – Legal Aid
Nasiru Yusuf
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) the controversial Kano cleric, Abduljabbar Kabara, who is standing trial on alleged blasphemy is not qualified to be represented by lawyer from the Council.
KANO FOCUS reports that Abduljabbar Kabara was arraigned on Friday, July 16, before an Upper Sharia Court at Kofar Kudu for alleged blasphemy, and incitement.
At the last adjourned day, the trial judge ordered the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) Headquarters to provide legal representation for the cleric in the ongoing trial of alleged blasphemy against the defendant.
When the court resumed sitting, Thursday, the Kano State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council, Mukhtar Labaran Usman, told the court that he attended the proceeding, in compliance with the court order issued on the last adjourned date.
“We wrote a letter to the court in respect of the order dated May 23, the council is constrained in handling the case.
“The council is a Federal Government Parastatal established by section 1(1)of Legal Aid Act 2011,”
Labaran-Usman further said “the council’s services shall only be granted to a person whose income does not exceed N30,000 per month.
“The defendant income exceed the national minimum wage and the offence to which he is arraigned is blasphemy.”
When the court contacted Kabara to hear his own response on the submission of Legal Aid Council, he told the court that he is not a civil servant and challenged that “how did the LACON knows he earns more than N30,000 minimum wage?
He prayed the court not to allow the Attorney General of Kano to provide a lawyer for him.
The defendant made some allegations against the state government, stressing that he doesn’t need a lawyer from Kano state government as it is interested party.
“I don’t believe in lawyers anymore, my former three set of lawyers betrayed me, especially the first team,” Kabara said.
The prosecution counsel, Yakubu Abdullahi, did not objected the letter written by the LACON and urged the court to order the Attorney General of Kano State to provide a legal representation for the defendant.
Section 389 and 349(5) ACJL 2019 says the Attorney General has the right to get a legal representation for the defendant
The trial judge, Yola, after listening to both parties ordered asked Dalhatu Shehu Usman to represent the defendant.
He consquently adjourned the case to June 9, for continuation of defense.
The cleric’s disagreement with his counsels
The controversial Islamic cleric, had earlier dropped his lawyers, alleging that they misled him in the ongoing case.
He alleged that “they convinced me to refuse to talk in Court on the last sittings on account that if he is considered mentally deranged he will have soft punishment against the expected capital punishment.”
Kabara told the court that his former lawyers misled him not to respond to the charges earlier filed against him at one of the previous sittings, stressing that he complied to their instructions by keeping mute at the previous sitting.
“two days before coming to that court for the last sitting, the lawyers came to the correctional facility where I was detained. They informed me that I was going to appear in court and that the charges would be read to me. Then they cautioned me that those charges were traps set to frame me that if I accept those allegations, I have walked into a technical suicide trap that have been set for me.
”They told me that already my fate has been decided that the judgement has already been written against me by this court and the only way out for me is to keep quiet. At this point, I asked them, what is the implication of my keeping quiet. They told me, they will handle it. That, after the case they will address the press. They now ask me to provide N500,000.00 for they to organize a press conference which I provided them with N300,000.00.
“Unfortunately, on that day in court, I kept quiet as instructed the court them ordered that I should undergo mental and hearing test, and then my lawyers all sited did not object. Rather I see them charting with the prosecution lawyers I felt embarrassed. It is these same lawyers who joined me with a top civil servant in the state. I will not disclose his or her name.
“The top government official advised me to allow for a medical report confirming that I am mentally sick and I will be condemned but in the process I will regain my freedom and they need only one million naira to use media to carry the process”. Kabara narrated
The spokesperson of the Defense lawyers, Rabiu Abdullahi said they are not legally in a position to reveal what happened between them and their client, but however, they advised him to embrace appropriate channel within two weeks or they would take legal action against him.
“We are legal practitioners and are guided by professional ethics, so there is no way we can reveal what happened between us and our client to the public.
“However, we call on our client Sheikh Abduljabbar to report the allegations he is having against us, which he mentioned to the court this morning to the proper authority so that we can be quizzed for violating professional ethics.
On May 12, Kabara, informed the court that, he has disengaged his lawyers for a second time.
Kabara said, he would continue to defend himself in the ongoing blasphemy case until he secured the service of new counsel.
The cleric’s counsels had previously informed the court in writing that they were withdrawing from the case.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of hope for graduates left stranded due to the previous administration’s negligence regarding academic certificates.
His determination to rectify these injustices has culminated in decisive actions to secure the future of Kano’s youth. Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, shared these developments with the media.
On December 9, 2024, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus with a mission to obtain the overdue academic certificates for Kano students affected by the prior administration’s failure to meet its educational financial obligations.
During a critical meeting with the management of Near East University, the governor focused on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in essential fields like Medicine and Nursing.
This was confirmed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson.
In a significant move, Governor Yusuf has settled the outstanding fees of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university for 84 medical and2015 to 2019.
This substantial financial commitment honors the dedication and hard work of these graduates, restoring their hopes for a future that had previously been unjustly delayed.
According to Ibrahim Adam, the certificates are set to be handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, marking a pivotal moment for the affected students.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges faced by the graduates, declaring, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.”
His vision for a prosperous Kano is centered on prioritizing education, ensuring that talented individuals can make valuable contributions to the state’s advancement.
The governor’s proactive measures not only address the systemic issues in the education sector but also inspire renewed hope among Kano’s youth.
By fulfilling his promises, he emphasizes the crucial role of supporting young people in achieving their aspirations, which is vital to the state’s growth.
As this milestone is celebrated, it is evident that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s relentless pursuit of educational reform signals a transformative era for Kano State.
His administration’s unwavering focus on education stands as a vital investment in the futures of individuals and the overall development of the state.
Under his leadership, Kano State is poised to realize its full potential, with eager graduates ready to make impactful contributions to their communities.
Governor Yusuf’s commitment to empowering the youth serves as an enduring reminder that with dedication and decisive action, a brighter future is attainable for all.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Governor of the Year 2024 (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of his transformative achievements in the education and healthcare sectors.
The recognition was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Governor Yusuf received the award at a prestigious event held in Lagos, where eminent personalities from across the country were honoured for excellence in leadership and service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Atedo Peterside, emphasized that the selection process was based on merit and verifiable impact, commending the awardees for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Vanguard’s Editor-in-Chief, Eze Anaba, praised Governor Yusuf for setting a high standard in governance through his commitment, innovation, and focus on people-centered policies.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vanguard for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kano State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens, especially education, health, and social welfare.
Other recipients of the Good Governance Award included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).
Governor Yusuf was accompanied to the ceremony by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, special advisers, local government chairmen, and close political allies.
This latest honour comes just four days after he received the Governor of the Year (Education) award from Leadership Newspaper.
The Governor is also scheduled to receive the Africa Good Governance Award from Heritage Times Magazine later this month in Morocco.
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