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Tag: Kano

  • Kano State gets first female Chief Judge, Aboki

    Kano State gets first female Chief Judge, Aboki

    Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has sworn in the first female Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Audu Aboki, with an appeal for support from the judiciary.

    Yusuf urged the judiciary to support his administration’s demolition and anti-graft policies to enable it recover public assets allegedly acquired illegally by the immediate-past administration in the state.

    He spoke on Monday while swearing in the first female Chief Judge in the state at Africa House, Government House, in Kano.

    The governor explained that his administration’s desire of demolishing illegal structures and recovering public properties were for the development of the state.

    Yusuf wondered why the Abdullahi Ganduje administration could demolish schools, hospitals and other public places only to build shopping complexes for businesses.

    He described the relationship between the judiciary, legislature and executive as not competitive, but complementary, promising to continue to maintain cordial relationships amongst the three arms of government.

    The governnoted that Justice Aboki has paid her dues in the temple of justice and through experience, talent and patriotism is by the grace of God elevated as the Chief Judge of the state.

    “While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I also remind my Lord that this task is a daunting one which calls for total dedication and commitment for the peace, progress and stability of Kano state and Nigeria at large.

    “Having spent your public life within this sector, no one can lecture you on what the citizens expect from you as the Head of this very important Arm of Government,” he said.

    Yusuf enjoined Aboki not only to see her this elevation as a call to duty but also as a trust inv3sted in her by God to represent Him in the affairs of men.

    The governor said she was assuming duty when the state was operating financial autonomy of the three arms of government, including the Judiciary.

    He, therefore, charged Justice Aboki to take advantage of all the latitude that this autonomy provides to ensure that judiciary staff are well trained while the day-to-day running of the courts is seamless.

    “You can count on the support of the Executive Arm of Government and the Legislature to work with you in helping you cultivate a cordial working relationship with the staff,” he assured.

    Yusuf also drew the attention of the new chief judge to the challenges with the speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involves some suspects that are arraigned for violent crimes.

    “It is our view that when such cases are dealt with expeditiously and those found guilty are punished, it will deter others hoping to engage in criminal acts,” said the governor.

    Besides, he advised her to beware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding.

    Yusuf however expressed optimism that the present leadership is very capable of withstanding and maintaining the sanctity of the Temple of Justice and the Legal profession in the state.

    Responding, Justice Aboki said she was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and the privilege to be elevated to the position of Chief Judge of the state.

    She promised to serve with “integrity, honesty and justice” as well as do her best to ensure that the rule of law is adhered to at all times.

    “We will restore the lost glory of judiciary in our state,” pledged the new chief judge.

    Justice Aboki also said she was aware of the challenges in the Judiciary and appealed for support and collaboration from the executive and legislative arms to succeed.

    She also solicited the support of the Justices, other judicial staff and professional bodies to meet the desire objectives of delivering justice.

  • Kano State’s anti-graft commission arrests father, son over N4bn sleaze

    Kano State’s anti-graft commission arrests father, son over N4bn sleaze

    Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) says it has arrested the principal suspect in the alleged diversion of more than N4 billion belonging to the state government.

    The suspect is the founder of an NGO, Association of Compassionate Friends, and the sole signatory of a business account belonging to Limestone Processing Link.

    PCACC stated in Kano on Thursday that the company’s bank account and that of Association of Compassionate Friends were used to divert Kano State government’s funds.

    It stated that the suspect was arrested after he broke into sealed warehouses that were confiscated by the PCACC, an action that contravened the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law (2008).

    It explained that the PCACC confiscated and sealed the warehouses pursuant to a court order.

    The sealing of the warehouses was in connection with alleged misappropriation and diversion of more than N4 billion Kano State’s funds paid as grant to Kano Agricultural Supply Company, it stated.

    Also in custody is the suspect’s son, a co-signatory to a bank account belonging to Association of Compassionate Friends to which N3.27 billion of Kano State’s funds were diverted, it stated.

    The PCACC noted that the association was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, but its objective did not include conducting any kind of commercial business.

    It alleged also that N480 million was diverted using the bank account of Limestone Processing Link, managed by the founder of Association of Compassionate Friends.

    It added that N400 million of the money was used to open a fixed deposit account in the name of the principal suspect.

    The PCACC stated also that the suspects would soon be arraigned.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Kano gov, Ganduje emerges APC National Chairman

    BREAKING: Ex-Kano gov, Ganduje emerges APC National Chairman

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has confirmed the appointment of the immediate-past Kano Governor Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the party.

    Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the APC acting National Chairman said this at the end of the 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the  party on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Kyari said that Ganduje was unanimous endorsed at the meeting as the new chairman of the party.

    Ganduje in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the development.

    “I am indeed most humbled,” Ganduje said, while appreciating President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the party’s leadership, assuring that he remained committed to the party’s ideals,” he said.

    He thanked the Progressive Governor’s Forum (PGF) and the party’s key stakeholders for their dedication, diligence and strategic role to its development.

    “With boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in me by leaders and members of our party, and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept my appointment as the Chairman of our party, the APC.

    “Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.

    “Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and making party functional throughout the year.

    “More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape

    “We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis,” Ganduje said.

    He listed the challenges to include: unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.

    He appealed to Nigerians to bear with Tinubu at the country’s trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years.

    “I belief the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Tinubu when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn around things for the better.

    “Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.

    “It is a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.

    “We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair,” Ganduje said.

    He called on members of the party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa to close ranks and ensure that the APC won in the forthcoming governorship election.

    He promised to depend on the support of party members to deliver on his new responsibility.

    Ganduje will takeover the party’s leadership from Sen. Abdullahi Adamu who resigned after being accused of high-handedness and mismanaging the party’s financial resources.

  • Kano anti-graft agency trails over N4bn missing govt funds

    Kano anti-graft agency trails over N4bn missing govt funds

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission says it has commenced investigation of over N4 billion missing government funds from the state Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO).

    The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhyi Rimingado, confirmed this when he lead an investigation tour to the warehouses where alleged cars, heavy duty tractors and tractors believed to have been bought by the siphoned funds were been kept in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

    Rimingado said the funds were mischievously transferred from KASCO to an association registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, named Association of Compassionate Friends.

    “The Association was meant to promote and take care of the living standard of the children of the less privileged people in the society, but unfortunately it has been turned into a machine stealing public funds,” he noted.

    The chairman explained that the funds were being drawn from the Kano state government as a grant to KASCO, but was siphoned using the registered corporate association and a business name company of limestone.

    “We have arrested eight suspects who are revealing credible information to the commission.

    “One of them said he was given certain amount to make false submission at KASCO, but kept the money aside waiting for a moment like this and he has voluntarily returned the money.

    “So far, we’ve recovered the sum of N15 million and have succeeded in blocking about N8 million,” he disclosed.

    Rimingado said the commission was suspicious of how some transactions were being made between the companies and some banks, stressing that some bank managers may be invited to clear some issues.

  • N500bn palliative: Kano govt refutes criticising FG’s sharing formula

    N500bn palliative: Kano govt refutes criticising FG’s sharing formula

    The Kano State Government has dismissed as false reports insinuating that it had criticised President Bola Tinubu’s N500 billion palliative sharing formula.

    The state deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam-Gwarzo, gave the clarification in a statement by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Shauibu, on Saturday in Kano.

    He said the reports falsely claimed that the deputy governor criticised the Tinubu led-administration for the allocation of N500 billion to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) through the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    The statement reads in part: “Gwarzo had referred to a news segment he watched on Thursday morning featuring Sen. Ali Ndume, who expressed concern about the allocation formula.

    “The deputy governor made this reference while receiving a delegation from the Kano Cooperative Society at the Government House, Kano, as they commemorated the 2023 International Day of Cooperatives.

    “Nowhere in the deputy governor’s statement did he mentioned the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “The allocation formula has been designed even before President Tinubu assumed office.

    “Therefore, the reports misinterpreted Gwarzo’s comments, failing to grasp the essence of his statement”.

    The statement further quoted Gwarzo as reaffirming government commitment under the leadership of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf to remain steadfast towards supporting President Tinubu’s vision for a peaceful and united Nigeria.

  • Kano gov tussle: INEC presents 21 BVAS machines to tribunal

    Kano gov tussle: INEC presents 21 BVAS machines to tribunal

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday tendered to the Kano State Governorship Election Tribunal 21 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

    The machines were used in 21 polling stations in 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs), Tudun-Wada, Gaya, Gezawa, Bunkure, Bebeji, Ungogo, Ajingi, Warawa, Karaye and Garko.

    The petitioner, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on April 9 filed a petition challenging INEC for declaring Abba Kabir-Yusuf of the NNPP the winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election.

    The respondents are INEC, Abba Kabir-Yusuf and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    Recalled the tribunal on June 6 granted leave to the petitioner to access and inspect the BVAS machines used by INEC in the governorship election.

    At the resumed sitting, Counsel to INEC, E.A.  Oshayomi  led Mr Ocheka, an INEC employee, to present the machines to the court.

    Ocheka told the court that the BVAS machines required protection because when their batteries run down codes would have to be sent from China before they could be reactivated.

    “Owing to safety reasons, let me go back with the BVAS to INEC office and whenever the court needs them I will bring them back,” Ocheka said.

    Counsel to the petitioner, Nureini Jimoh (SAN), tendered the 21 BVAS to the tribunal to support their petition and objected to the machines being returned to INEC.

    Counsel to Kabir-Yusuf, Mr R A Lawal, and Counsel to NNPP, Mr John Baylesha, did not object to the admissibility of the BVAS machines in evidence.

    “Once the petitioner tendered the machines, it is now left for the tribunal to decide where to keep them for safety reasons,” he said.

    The petitioner has so far presented 18 witnesses to testify before the court to prove its case.

    The three-man panel led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay adjourned the matter until July 12 for the continuation of hearing.

    NAN

  • Coalition for good governance gives Kano governor 72 hours ultimatum to stop demolition

    Coalition for good governance gives Kano governor 72 hours ultimatum to stop demolition

    Following the demolition of property and destruction of investment in Kano State, a group under the aegis of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative has given the state governor Abba Yusuf, seventy-two hours ultimatum to retract himself and stop the ongoing demolition.

    Recall that before he was sworn in, Yusuf had repeatedly threatened to demolish illegal structures in and around government landed property that is currently generating public outcry, as most of the affected buildings were constructed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

    The Coalition in a press conference delivered by the National Coordinator Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, in Abuja on Tuesday said the situation in the state is a sad era in the history of Kano State where a government saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property is the one demolishing structures legally built by citizens and investors with their hard-earned resources.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is a sad era in the history of Kano State where a government saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property is the one demolishing structures legally built by citizens and investors with their hard-earned resources thereby inflicting pains on the people.”

    Ogenyi lamented that the government demolished a three storey Plaza consisting of ninety shops, the five star Daula Hotel almost completed with ninety rooms worth over 10 billion Naria.

    ” As a result of this inhuman activity, thousands of people have been displaced with the government paying no attention to the suffering of the people. In fact, the government has vow to cause more harm to the people by continuing the demolition exercise.
    the lost of over twenty lives of

    The coalition alleged that over 20 innocent Nigerians have died during the process of the unlawful demolition of property in the state.

    “The government claimed that, two persons died but our team members who were in Kano said over twenty persons have died which is a serious concern for the human rights community.

    “More worrisome is the trend of successive governors destroying legacies of the previous administration in a quest to slight the out-gone Governor either based on hatred or fear of popularity among others.

    “The last three weeks has become a hell in Kano State with a cry in almost every home within the metropolis. Governor Abba Yusuf has become a shadow of good governance, even his supporters are no longer proud of him because of his inhuman action against the people of Kano State.

    “How can a Governor of less than a week old demolished property worth over two hundred and six billion naira without studying the process talk more of compensation of the property owners.

    He stated that the Government claimed that, the previous administration allocated government lands to individuals and corporate bodies.

    “If it is true that the previous administration of Kano State illegally allocated these plots, why not call the immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje to answer questions and if possible charge him to Court instead of destroying property Built by innocent Nigerians who applied for land and were allocated same by the state government. Is government no longer a continuous process? Most of these individuals got loans and invested it in Kano only to face this kind of devastating situation. How do you expect them to survive?

    “We believed that the situation in Kano if not called to order is capable of causing unrest which may affect the whole Country. Something must be done urgently to stop this madness. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly intervene and call Governor Abba Yusuf to order to stop further illegal demolition of property leading to lost of lives in the State.

    “We also call on the International Community to come to the aid of the people and investors in Kano State by prevailing on Governor Abba Yusuf to stop the demolition forthwith. Mr Kwankwaso who is the leader of the Governor is silent over the inhuman activities currently ongoing in Kano State, a bad signal that he is also part of the demolition plot, if he is not, we call on him to exonerate himself by joining religious leaders and other prominent Nigerians in condemning the evil act.

    “We are making this appeal in the National Interest because we know the implications of any possible crisis in Kano state being the most populous state in Nigeria. If misgovernance of Governor Abba Yusuf leads to crisis in Kano state (God forbid) it will affect negatively the whole of Nigeria.

    “We hereby give Governor Yusuf seventy-two hours ultimatum to retract himself and stop the ongoing demolition, call the affected persons and group for proper compensation or face legal action.”

     

  • No going back on demolition of illegal structures – Kano govt

    No going back on demolition of illegal structures – Kano govt

    The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Gwarzo, says there is no going back on the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in the state capital.

    Gwarzo said this during a meeting with members of the Association of Progressive, Tarauni LGA at the Government House on Thursday night.

    He emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and restoring order in urban areas, while stressing the necessity for the demolition to ensure sustainable urban development.

    Gwarzo expressed concern over the negative impact of unregulated structures on infrastructure, drainage systems, and public safety.

    The deputy governor condemned the alleged sale of public assets by the previous administration for personal gain, without considering the consequences on the community.

    He mentioned the division and sale of lands within the historic Massalacin Waje at Fagge LGA and portions of the Eid prayer ground, saying that they were lands with significant cultural and religious significance.

    Gwarzo also expressed dissatisfaction over the sale of portions of graveyards for the construction of shops.

    Speaking on the Hajj Camp, he said that facilities within the camp were divided and sold, despite its purpose of serving as an exercise ground for pilgrims.

    Gwarzo said that the present administration of Gov. Abba Yusuf, is taking steps to reconstruct the camp and ensure that essential amenities are provided.

    The deputy governor also mentioned the demolition of Daula Hotel, originally established by the late Audu Bako to train students in tourism and events planning.

    He expressed disappointment that the property was allegedly demolished and sold by the immediate past administration.

    In his speech, Malam Nura Dan’jani, Chairman, Association of Progressive Tarauni LGA, expressed support for the ongoing demolition of illegal structures erected and sold by the previous administration.

  • Kano: APC seeks tribunal’s order to inspect governorship election materials

    Kano: APC seeks tribunal’s order to inspect governorship election materials

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, on Thursday, applied to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for an order to inspect electoral materials used during the March 18 governorship poll.

    The APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, is urging the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Abba Kabir-Yusuf of NNPP as governor.

    Kabir-Yusuf polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat former Dep. Gov. Gawuna, who scored 892,705 votes.

    The petitioner is asking the tribunal to declare him the winner of the election, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast.

    He argued that APC ought to be declared winner, if the invalid votes allotted to NNPP were removed, otherwise, the election should be declared inconclusive.

    At the resumed sitting for pre-trial, Counsel for the petitioner, Mr Nureini Jimoh (SAN), urged the court to grant his client access to inspect electoral materials used for the election.

    Jimoh listed the materials to include the Biomodal Voters Accreditation System machine, ballot papers, voter register and other electoral facilities used by INEC across the state.

    Counsel for INEC, Mr K C Wisdom, told the court that they were only served with the process on Thursday.

    Counsels for Kabir-Yusuf and NNPP,  Messrs Adegboyega Awomolo and E.A Oshayomi, did not object to the application.

    The three-member panel ordered all the litigants to conclude all exchange of processes on interlocutory applications before hearing would commence.

    The tribunal approved 26 days for all the parties to prove their case, while 15 minutes each were stipulated for examination and cross-examination of witnesses.

    The tribunal later adjourned sitting to June 15 for continuation of pre-trial on the admissibility or otherwise of documents and adoption of schedules of proceedings.

  • 18 die, 12 injured in Kano auto crash, corpses given mass burial

    18 die, 12 injured in Kano auto crash, corpses given mass burial

    Eighteen passengers were killed in an auto crash on Friday at Zakirai town on Kano-Ringim Road in Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano state.

    Twelve other persons were also injured in the crash while five escaped unhurt, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said.

    Some of the corpses were given mass burial at the accident scene, while others were handed over to their relatives.

    Abdullahi confirmed in a statement issued by the sector’s spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Labaran that the accident involved two commercial vehicles.

    “We received a call about the accident at about 8:35 p.m. on Friday and dispatched our personnel to the scene to rescue the victims,’’ Abdullahi said.

    He blamed the accident on excessive speeding, dangerous driving, and overloading which led to a head-on collision and the bursting into flames of one of the vehicles.

    “The accident involved a total of 35 passengers in two buses, out of which 18 were burnt beyond recognition while 12 others sustained serious injuries,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim said the injured victims were taken to Murtala Mohammed General Hospital, Kano.

    He advised motorists to avoid overspeeding, overloading, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, and any infraction that could lead to road crashes.

    The sector commander expressed regret at the magnitude of avoidable road crashes recorded in Kano State in the past week.

    During a visit to the crash scene on Saturday, he warned motorists, particularly intercity and inter-state drivers to desist from overloading, excessive speeding, wrongful overtaking and other traffic violations.

    Abdullahi assured that the FRSC would intensify public enlightenment and undertake stringent patrol interventions, including operation of mobile courts to stem the rising tide of intercity auto crashes.