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Tag: Kano

  • Again court orders Ganduje, Emir Sanusi to maintain status quo

    Again court orders Ganduje, Emir Sanusi to maintain status quo

    A High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday, again ordered Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi ll to maintain status quo in respect of the interim order issued against the governor on May 10.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 10, the court through the ex-parte application by the applicant, Rabiu Gwarzo restrained Ganduje and all other respondents in the case from appointing or recognising any purported emir under the Kano state Emirs Appointment And Disposition Amendment Law 2019, pending the hearing of motion on notice.

    In his ruling, Justice Nasiru Saminu, ordered that all the parties in the suit should still maintain status quo pending the hearing of motion on notice.

    Saminu adjourned the matter until July 15 for hearing.

    Earlier, the Counsel to Ganduje, the former Attorney-General of Kano State, Mr Ibrahim Mukhtar, urged the court to vacate the order since it was issued over 20-days-ago and has expired.

    “An exparte order has seven days life spam under, Section 39 sub section III and Section IV grants the court power to extend the life seven days life spam of the exparte.

    The Counsel to the applicant, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, objected to the oral application to vacate the order, by informing the court that the application should be accompanied with a written address.

    “On preliminary urge the court to allow the motion to keep it cause ,it is not ripe for hearing”

  • Man, 40, commits suicide in Kano

    A 40-year-old man, Femi Oguntumi, was on Friday found hanged to a ceiling fan in his room at Dakata Quarters Kano.

    Oguntumi was a staff of Karish College in Kawaji area of Kano and there has been no indication yet as to what led to the incident.

    However, the police say they have launched a discreet investigation to determine whether it was suicide or not.

    Abdullahi Haruna, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kano state, said in a statement on Saturday in Kano that the police received information on the incident at about 8:15 p.m on Friday.

    He said that the body of the deceased was discovered hanged with a rope tied to a ceiling fan in his room in what looked like a suicide.

    “On reaching the scene of the incident the police found his lifeless body and was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano where he was confirmed dead.

    “The corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the said hospital.”

    Haruna added that Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that discrete investigation be carried out to find out the cause of the unfortunate incident.(

  • Ban on rallies, processions in Kano still in force – Police

    The Kano State Police Command, said on Friday that the ban on all forms of rallies, processions, demonstration or assembly in the state was still in force.

    This was contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Abdullahi Haruna issued to newsmen in Kano.

    He said that the command found it necessary to reissue the order, to prevent any breach of the peace.

    “The order is aimed at preventing and averting any threat, breach of the peace or break down of law and order in the face of various security challenges in the State.
    “This is to assure a lasting peace and unity in the State. Any person or group of persons found engaging in any unlawful assembly will be arrested and prosecuted in a court of law”.

    NAN recalls that the command had on June 8, banned rallies, demonstrations, processions or assemblies in the state until further notice.

    The order was issued following the tension generated over a query issued to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, over alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Emirate Council.

  • Gorilla swallows N6.8 million Kano Zoo gate takings

    Gorilla swallows N6.8 million Kano Zoo gate takings

    A gorilla at the Kano Zoological Gardens is being accused of ‘swallowing‘ N6.8 million cash realized from gate takings during last week’s Eid el Fitri.

    The police are already investigating the matter and are questioning 10 people.

    An accounts officer at the zoo claimed that the gorilla sneaked into an office where the money was kept and then proceeded to ‘swallow’ it.

    The Managing Director of Kano Zoo, Umar Kashekobo, confirmed that money was missing.

    He gave no details.

    He merely said: “Police are investigating what happened – all I can say is money is missing.”

    The police also confirmed the disappearance of money from the zoo.

    “Yes, it is true that money from five days of Sallah festivities is missing from the Kano zoo,” spokesman for the state police command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, told the BBC.

    “As at now, we have arrested 10 members of staff of the zoo including the security man and those working in the finance unit.”

    Kano-based Freedom Radio had, earlier in the week, interviewed someone from the zoo’s finance department who said a gorilla sneaked into the office, stole the money and then swallowed it.

    The money swallowing gorilla story is similar to the allegation, last year, by an official of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Benue state that a ‘spiritual’ snake found its way into the organization’s office in Makurdi and ate N36 million cash.

  • N3.4b misappropriation: Emir Sanusi lied, says Kano agency

    N3.4b misappropriation: Emir Sanusi lied, says Kano agency

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has described the claim by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, that he was not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council as a misrepresentation of facts.

    This is contained in a preliminary report of the Commission on the investigation being carried out in respect of the alleged misappropriation of over N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council between 2014 and 2017.

    The report was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Thursday.

    The report, with reference number PCAC/GEN/6/VOL.I, dated June 11, 2019, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.

    Part of the report reads: “In furtherance to the Commission’s earlier communication No. PCAC/GEN/6/V.I, dated 31st May, 2019, on the above subject matter and the unfolding events, the Commission deemed it necessary to make some clarifications as follows:-

    “It is imperative to state categorically that, the Commission’s investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but not on the funds left behind by the Late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and we still maintain our stance.

    “In the cause of investigation we undertook an analysis of the main Account belonging to Kano Emirate Council and domicile at First Bank with Account No. 2005888452 starting from the era of the Late Emir to enable the Commission have an idea of how the money is being managed.”

    According to the report, there were 783 activities bordering on withdrawals, transfers and placements from Jan. 2, 2013, to June 6, 2014, during the time of the late Emir.

    “As from 2nd January 2013 to 13th April, 2017, the opening balance is N432,338,412.98. Total credit made in the account during this period was N6,784,146,335.73 while the total debit during the period under review is N7,209,035,163.09.”

    However, it added that, “the closing balance as at April, 2017, is N7,449,585.62″.

    It further revealed that on Feb. 13, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014, payments were made to Philko Ltd, the company said to have undertook the construction of Ado Bayero Royal City via Inter Bank transfers of the sum of N776,159,519.50.

    “There were transfers of N388,079,759.75, N338,079,759.75 and N50,000,000.00 made on Feb. 13, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014, respectively; making the total quoted figures for Philko Ltd.”

    The report also alleged that during the period, fixed deposit placements were made to the tune of N581,884,729.54 (placement and rollovers) while net withdrawals on some engagements both cash and withdrawal stood at N1,056,533,728.31.

    “In summary, the total withdrawal made from the Account under the Late Emir was N2,414,577,977.35, subtracting this amount from total debit on the account which is N7,209,035,163.09.

    “It is evidently clear that the current Emir is responsible for the expenditures to the total sum of N4,794,457,185.74 from the Emirate Council Account domicile in First Bank Plc,” it said.

    Similarly, it alleged that all the expenditures made by the Emirate Council were either based on the approval or instructions of Emir Sanusi.

    The commission attached copy of a payment voucher in respect of one of the withdrawals to buttress its claim, which read “Being payment to the above named in respect of making special prayers for peace as directed by H.H. Emir of Kano respectively“.

    “Therefore, any claim that the Emir is not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council is a deception and a misrepresentation of facts.

    “Specifically, the reason of our recommendation for the suspension apart from obstruction of investigation which formed the basis, investigation further reveals that Rufa’i Buhari (Senior Accountant) usually made cash withdrawals directly from the account and change it to Dollars on behalf of the Emir.

    “Sometimes direct transfers from the account are made to a Bureau De Change belonging to one Jazuli Sani who was said to have died.

    “The Commission still maintain the allegation on unappropriated, seemingly personal expenditures, making the total sum of questionable expenditures uncovered by this investigation to the tune of N3,432,090,797.94 only,” the report emphasised.

  • Court to determine fate of new Emirates in Kano

    The four-man committee on the feud between Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir Muhammad Sanusi II has left the fate of the new emirates for the court to decide.

    The committee, however, succeeded in persuading the governor to stay action on the ongoing probe of the Emir for alleged N3.4 billion fraud, which Sanusi said was non-existence.

    But the Emir has been advised to stop making political comments.

    The two parties are expected to continue to explore dialogue on grey areas which caused the crisis of confidence between them.

    These were the highlights of the outcome of the session between the two parties which was held at Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi’s Abuja home.

    The meeting was held at Fayemi’s home to make it as “private” as possible, according to a source, who said some of those who attended on both sides eventually leaked it in an attempt to outwit each other in the media.

    The Nation learnt that the only knotty issue which the session could not address was what to do with the creation of new emirates.

    The Emirates, which were created on May 8, 2019, are Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye.

    The House of Assembly on May 8 initiated and passed a bill splitting Kano Emirate into five emirates. But on May 10, a High Court in Kano ordered Ganduje, the Assembly, the Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly and the Attorney-General from implementing the break-up of the Kano Emirate.

    A source privy to the outcome of the peace meeting in Abuja said: “The peace committee did its best to persuade Ganduje to stay action on all disciplinary procedures already put in place, including alleged plans to depose the Emir of Kano.

    “The committee also noted that partisan political comments by the Emir aggravated the crisis of confidence with the governor. The Emir has been advised to avoid political comments or any form of partisanship.

    “The two sides were further advised to explore more avenues for dialogue in the interest of the state. They both agreed to keep to the terms of the ceasefire.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The only issue we have not been able to resolve is the creation of four new Emirates because the Emir went to court over it.

    “We have decided to allow the court matter to run its full course pending when a political solution will be found to it. If there is no alternative, the court will determine the fate of the Emirates.

    “A lot of things are involved in the creation of the new Emirates, including the passage of a bill into law and likely subjudice of the court process. These challenges are not what the committee can adjudicate on.

    “But we believe that if there is a new understanding by both parties with all the stakeholders in the state, a solution is possible.”

    The source said the committee expected the two parties to stick to the term agreed upon.

    “This is not the first time there will be a ceasefire but it was breached. We hope the second intervention will work.

    “If there is any further breakdown, no one will be able to help the situation anymore,” the source added.

  • Insecurity: Police ban rallies, processions, demonstrations in Kano

    Insecurity: Police ban rallies, processions, demonstrations in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command has banned any form of rally, demonstration, procession or assembly in the state until further notice.

    The order was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdullahi Haruna, and made available to newsmen in Kano on Saturday.

    Similarly, he said, the command had withdrawn permission given to members of the public, civil society organisations, political parties, NGOs and other groups.

    NAN reports that the order might not be unconnected with tension generated following the query issued to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, over alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Emirate Council under his (Sanusi) leadership.

    He explained that the action was necessary to prevent any threat, breach of the peace or break down of law and order in the face of various security challenges in the state.

    He warned that any person or group of persons found engaging in any unlawful assembly would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.

    “The Public should know the position of the state command in maintaining peace and order in the society,” the spokesman cautioned.

    He therefore warned groups under whatever guise to adhere to the order until further notice or face the wrath of the law.

    “The measure is to assure a lasting peace and unity in the State,“ Haruna emphasised.

  • Kano Govt cancels annual traditional Sallah event over security concerns

    The Kano State Government has cancelled the annual traditional Sallah event popularly known as ‘Hawan Nassarawa, slated for Thursday, June 6, for security reasons.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Abba Anwar, the Chief Press ‎Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.

    According to the statement, the annual traditional event was cancelled after security meeting held between Gov. Ganduje with heads of all security agencies, concerning all Sallah celebrations as it is usually done.

    “There was intelligence report for fear of breach of peace during the upcoming event.

    “It is clear to all that Ganduje is a peace loving leader, who doesn’t toy with safety and security of his people as well as all other citizens living in Kano.

    “For this reason, and as a result of the intelligence report, the state government is not relenting, hence its decision to declare ‘Hawan Nassarawa’ cancelled,” Anwar said.

    He added that after the security meeting the Kano Emirate Council was duly informed about the terrifying intelligence report and the cancellation of the event.

    “People of the state are advised to go about with their lawful businesses and feel free in these days of Sallah celebration and beyond, as adequate security measures for the state to remain peaceful has been taken, “ he said.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Emir Sanusi drums support for girl-child education

    Eid-el-Fitr: Emir Sanusi drums support for girl-child education

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has advocated for the rights of the girl-child to education.

    ‎The first class traditional ruler made the call while addressing the people of the state, shortly after he led the Eid prayer at the Kofar Mata Central Eid ground in Kano on Tuesday.

    ‎‎He urged political leaders at all levels to give priority to female education as they did with their male counterparts.

    “The people need to prioritise their commitment toward the education of female just like their male counterpart,” he said.

    He underscored the need for Nigerians to also continue to pray for peace and progress of the state and the country at large.

    The monarch also urged Muslims to fear God in all their activities, reminding them that each and every one of them must give account of his or her deeds hereafter.

    Besides, the Emir called on the people of the state to continue to pray against banditry, kidnapping and other vices.

    He admonished Kano people to support each other and work as a team for the overall development of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among those that attended the prayer at the Kofar Mata Central Eid ground were Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje; and his Deputy, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna; and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji.

    Also in attendance were traditional rulers and members of the Emirate council.

    NAN reports that security was tight during the prayer as armed policemen and other security personnel were deployed to various Eid grounds and other strategic places across the state to ensure peaceful celebration.

  • Emir Sanusi in fresh trouble, agency recommends suspension

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has recommended the suspension of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi 11 over the misappropriation of N3.4 billion.

    The alleged amount was said to have been misappropriated between 2014 and 2017.

    A preliminary report of investigation conducted by the commission and signed by its Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, recommended the suspension of the Emir and other suspects, especially for obstructing investigation.

    The emir, tagged principal suspect, should be suspended pending the final outcome of the investigations, the commission said.

    “This is a necessary administrative disciplinary action aimed at preventing the suspects from further interfering with the commission’s investigations”, the commission said.

    The recommendation will escalate the worsening relationship between the administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir, whose territory has been balkanised by the administration. Ganduje’s government following the recommendation of the House of Assembly split the Emirate into five and appointed emirs for Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye.

    The latest probe was in respect of a petition of financial misappropriation levelled against Kano Emirate Council under the present Muhammadu Sanusi II.

    The interim report raised four cardinal issues bordering on indictments, amount involved, obstruction of investigation and recommendations.

    The report indicated that the Kano Emirate Council had spent over N1.4 billion in various expenditures believed to be fraudulent and unappropriated.

    In addition, the Emirate Council was alleged to have spent over N1.9 billion unappropriated on seemingly personal expenditures, making the total sum of the questionable expenditures.

    According to the report, the expenditures contravened the provisions of Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 8 of the Kano State Emirate Council Special Fund Law 2004.

    Similarly, the expenditures had also violated Section 314 of Penal Code as well as provisions of Section 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).

    “It is also the opinion of this Commission, based on the available evidence, that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II continued to undermine the investigation through various means which include giving instruction to all officers invited for clarification to shun the commission’s invitation.

    “The act is seriously affecting the process of our statutory responsibility and offends the provisions of Section 25 of the Commission’s enabling Law 2008 (as amended),” the report said.

    “The commission further recommends that the contract awarded to Tri-C Nigeria Limited for renovation of Babban Daki, Kofar Kudu and Gidan Sarki Dorayi should be revoked as the company belongs to one of the suspects in person of Alhaji Mannir Sanusi, (The Chief of Staff in the Emirate),” it said.

    According to the report, the company failed to settle the sub-contractor, Cardinal Architecture Ltd, after being duly paid.

    It further recommended that appropriate authority should be put in place to oversee the affairs of the Emirate Council in line with established statutes and policies, pending the final outcome of the commission’s investigations.

    It also recommended that further legal action should be taken against all the suspects as soon as the final outcome of the investigations were concluded and legal advice accordingly issued.

    Meanwhile, the Emirate Council is yet to react to this fresh development.