Culture

Sanusi Receives Letter of Reinstatement, Court Says Halt

By Web News 258

By Abdullahi Jallaludeen/ Muzha Kucha

In a formal ceremony held at the Africa House within the Government House Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State presented a letter of reappointment to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, reinstating him as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Governor Yusuf emphasised that the decision to reinstate Emir Sanusi was aimed at revitalising the esteemed heritage of Kano.

He expressed gratitude to the Speaker and members of the Kano State House of Assembly for their dedication in representing the desires of the people of Kano through the revision of the Kano Emirate Law.

During the presentation of the reappointment letter, Governor Yusuf underscored Emir Sanusi’s vast experience and expertise, highlighting his potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of the Emirate and the state.

He urged the reinstated Emir to utilise his knowledge for the betterment of both the Emirate and the broader community, emphasising the importance of fostering peace and harmony.

The ceremony was attended by prominent government officials, district heads, traditional title holders, and various stakeholders, symbolising the significance of the occasion in the region.

Reactions trails the development in Kano

In 2019, the creation of additional Emirates of Karaye, Gaya, Rano, and Bichi by former governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had increased the number of first-class Emirs to five, leading to the deposition of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

However, in a recent sitting, the state Assembly passed the Kano State Emirates Councils (Repeal) Bill, 2024, thereby establishing a single emirate council in the state.

This move has elicited a range of reactions with some residents expressing concerns about the centralisation of traditional power, while others welcome the return of Emir Sanusi Muhammad II.

Nurudeen Jibril, sees the reversal as the will of God, attributing leadership to divine selection.

Meanwhile, Buhari Abba voices worries that the dissolution might set a precedent for future governments to interfere with traditional institutions, potentially distorting the state’s historical fabric.

Salisu Muhammad, a businessman, expresses joy at Emir Sanusi Muhammad II’s return, praising his leadership qualities and philanthropy.

Police presence around the deposed Emir’s palace adds to the solemn mood.

The situation underscores the complexities surrounding traditional governance and the sentiments it evokes among the populace.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Kano has issued an ex-parte order halting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II until a substantive lawsuit regarding the reinstatement is resolved.

The court also objected to the abolition of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.

Justice Liman issued an order directing all concerned parties to uphold the current situation until the lawsuit contesting the recent actions by the Kano State Government brought forth by Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Babba-Dan Agundi, is resolved.

The defendants named in the lawsuit encompass various entities: the Kano State government, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the State Assembly, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Security.

Justice Liman’s directive instructs the parties involved to maintain the state of affairs as it was before the enactment and approval of the bill into law, pending the adjudication of the Fundamental Rights application.

This legal decision coincides with Governor Yusuf’s announcement earlier in the day, wherein he confirmed the re-appointment of Emir Sanusi shortly after endorsing the Kano Emirate Council (Amended) bill into law.

The signing ceremony took place at the government house, with the presence of the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ismaila Falgore, and other key officials.

“Considering the Constitutional and Jurisdictional Issues evident on the face of the application, the parties are required to address the Court on these matters during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application scheduled for June 3, 2024.

“To maintain peace and security in the state, this Honorable Court has issued an Interim Injunction restraining the Respondents from enforcing, executing, implementing, and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Law Council (Repeal) Law.

“The parties are instructed to maintain the status quo before the passage and approval of the bill until the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.”

The Judge adjourned the case until June 3, 2024, for further proceedings.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Octogenarian in NSCDC Net

By Web News 390

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, Kano command have arrested an 85-year-old suspected kidnapper, Ibrahim Usman, at Yar’adua quarters, Rimin Kebe, Ungogo LGA.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, who made this known in a statement, said the suspect abducted a 3-year-old boy in his neighbourhood.

He said the suspect attempted to hide him in his friend’s residence situated at Hotoro bye-pass in Kano State but upon suspecting foul play, the friend refused to keep the boy in his custody and decided to alert residents where the suspect lived at Rimin Kebe who had been looking for the missing boy.

According to him, “This development led the suspect to run away and he was later picked up by personnel of the Corp’s Ungogo division.

“Worthy of note is that the suspect had in the last two months collected the victim’s father’s phone number but never called him for once,” SC Abdullahi said.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, however, revealed that the investigation into the case has reached an advanced stage and upon conclusion, the suspect will be charged to court.
Vanguard / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Environment

Fire Razes Kano Police Station

By Web News 358

The police command in Kano State says the Divisional Police Office in Nasarawa Local Government Area has been gutted by fire.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, disclosed in Kano that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday.

“At about 05.45 a.m. the Divisional Police headquarters was engulfed by fire and a major part of the building was burned down completely.

“This is in spite of prompt response by the State Fire Service,’’ he said.

Gumel said an investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause.

“The area has been cordoned off to prevent intrusion by on-lookers and miscreants, the arms and ammunition in the office are very safe.

“The Divisional Police Officer is currently sorting out some of the affected documents,” he said.

Earlier in the year, the Kano Police Command headquarters in Bompai was engulfed by fire on Saturday, January 13.

It was gathered that the fire, which started in the provost’s office, spread to the Finance Department, Conference Room, the office of the Police Public Relations Officer, the office of the Assistant Police Commissioner (Administration), and that of the Deputy Commissioner (Admin), among others.

It was learned that the entire offices on the top floor of the Police Command built in 1967 were engulfed by the fire, while the office of the Police Commissioner was not affected.

NAN/Adebukola Aluko

Politics

Supreme Court Affirms Yusuf, Sanwo-Olu, Muhammed’s Victory

By Web News 395

By Ifeoma Nwovu

The Supreme Court has affirmed the outcomes of the 2023 governorship elections in Lagos, Kano, and Bauchi states.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had confirmed the re-election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor of Lagos State.

In a lead judgement delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the 5-man panel of the apex court unanimously held that the appeal by the Labour Party and its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was unmeritorious and therefore liable for dismissal.

The apex court ruled that all parties should bear their respective costs.

The Lagos State Division of the Court of Appeal dismissed Rhodes-Vivour’s appeal on November 15, 2023, having affirmed the decision of the Lagos State Governorship Tribunal, which upheld Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.

The Labour Party and its gubernatorial candidate had urged the court to allow the appeal, set aside the decision of the tribunal, and grant the reliefs sought.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Sanwo-Olu, winner of the governorship election having polled 762,134 votes to defeat his close challenger, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP), who scored 312,329 votes.

S’Court upholds Bala Mohammed’s victory as Bauchi Governor

Similarly, the Supreme Court declared the election of Senator Bala Mohammed as Governor of Bauchi State.

In a lead judgement, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which on November 17, 2023, upheld the election of Bala Mohammed as the duly elected Governor of Bauchi State.

The unanimous judgement of the 5-man panel was on an appeal by the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Amb Saddique Baba Abubakar, who was not satisfied with INEC’s declaration of Bala as winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State.

Justice Saulawa held that Abubakar’s appeal was “devoid of merit” since all six issues adopted for determination were answered against the appellant.

The Bauchi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, had earlier declared Bala Mohammed the winner of the election.

Bala, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, polled 525,280 votes to defeat Abubakar

Plateau, Ebonyi, Cross River, Jigawa and Bauchi await fate.

NNPP’s Yusuf reinstated as Kano Governor

Also affirmed by the Apex Court is the election of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of Kano State.

Justice Inyang Okoro gave the judgement in an appeal by Governor Yusuf, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had on November 17 sacked him from office.

The Appeal Court had disqualified Governor Yusuf Kabir from the Kano state governorship election and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Kano State.

But in a lead judgement delivered by Justice Inyang Okoro, the Supreme Court unanimously held that the tribunal never found that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the election.

Justice Inyang Okoro held that the issue of sponsorship and nomination of candidates falls under the domestic affairs of a political party.

He insisted that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a matter that bordered on the internal affairs of a political party.

Dauda Lawal’s mandate as Zamfara Gov restored

In a related development, the Supreme Court declared Dauda Lawal as the validly elected governor of Zamfara State, having set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which declared his election inconclusive.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement, held that the decision of the Court of Appeal in declaring the election inconclusive was perverse.

The judgement was on an appeal by Lawal, seeking redress over the decision of the Court of Appeal, which on November 16, 2023, declared the Zamfara gubernatorial election inconclusive.

Justice Agim held that the appeal has merit; it subsists and allowed.

A three-member panel of the appellate court had unanimously annulled the victory of Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Lawal the winner of the March 18, 2023, election with 377,726 votes.

However, Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 311,976 votes, challenged the outcome of the poll.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Crime

Kano Police Nab Serial Thief with 890 Mobile Devices

By Web News 458

A serial mobile phone thief, Ibrahim Adamu has been nabbed in Kano state.

The phone thief was arrested with Eight Hundred and Ninety (890) Mobile Phones phones.

A statement released by the police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, says the Police Command was following up on a Public outcry received from the coordinators of Dansulaika GSM Market, Farm Center, Kano that on August 24, unknown persons broke into eleven (11) shops through the roof ceilings and stole some Mobile Phones, Desktop and Laptop Computers some sales Money, ATM cards and other accessories.

He said a sustained intelligence-led operation was launched that led to the arrest of one Ibrahim Adamu, ’m’, of Sallari Quarters, Tarauni LGA, Kano.4

He mentioned that the suspect confessed to the Police that he singlehandedly committed the offence and led them to the recovery of the One Hundred and Six (106) Mobile Phones, Nine (9) Laptops Computers, Sales Money Sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Naira (N115,940:00), Nine (9) ATM cards, and other accessories. 

Kiyawa added that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the ongoing.

One Hundred and Six (106) Mobile Phones, Nine (9) Laptops Computers, Sales Money Sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Naira (N115,940:00), Nine (9) ATM cards, and other accessories were recovered from the suspect.

Tori/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

NBA Asks Tribunal to Name Lawyers Seeking to Bribe Judges

By Web News 509

Disturbed by the bribery allegations rocking the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Kano, Sagir Gezawa, on Wednesday, formally wrote a letter to the Secretary of the EPT, demanding the identities of the lawyers attempting to bribe the judges.

The Kano NBA Chairman said, “We will want My Lord to disclose all details and particulars of the lawyer in question or those lawyers that are making attempts to bribe My Lords.”

Gezawa said copies of the letter were forwarded to the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the President of the Nigeria Bar Association.

He said the Kano NBA was also seeking to have a meeting with the tribunal Justices, saying the Bar was committed to the fight against corruption.

“We are willing to do our own part of the fight, so, we are awaiting My Lord’s response,” he said.

The tribunal, led by Justice Azinge, had on Tuesday, raised the alarm that some lawyers were attempting to bribe judges in order to influence their verdict.

Justice  Azinge said it was the second time a judge would complain about how some lawyers prosecuting election matters before them would attempt to offer them bribes.

She stated in the open court on Tuesday that “money is flying”, adding that “it’s being rumoured that a staff collected N10m.”

“In recent years, allegations of lawyers bribing judges have cast shadows over Nigeria’s judicial system, a complex issue that is threatening to erode the public trust in the pursuit of justice.

“While it is important to acknowledge that not all lawyers engage in unethical practices, the spectre of judicial corruption remains a concerning challenge that the Nigerian legal community must confront head-on,” the judge said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

 

Crime

Alleged ‘Pomo’ Theft Lands Labourer in Correction Centre

By Web News 333

A Sharia Court in Kano State on Tuesday ordered that a 23-year-old man, Abdulwahab Yusuf who pleaded guilty to stealing cow skin worth N8,500 be remanded in a correction centre.

The police charged Yusuf, who lives in Tukuntawa Quarters, Kano, with theft.

Judge Umar Lawal-Abubakar, adjourned the matter until Aug. 22 for summary trial.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Abdullahi Wada, told the court that the complainant, Fatihu Auwal who also resides in Tukuntawa Quarters, reported the matter at the Fagge Police Station, Kano, on Aug. 5.

Wada alleged that the defendant entered into the complainant’s stand and stole the cow skin.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Man Arrested over Alleged Trafficking of Teenagers

By Web News 407

By Adenitan Akinola 

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a middle-aged man, Adebisi Muideen for allegedly trafficking four teenage girls from Osun State to Kano State for their onward transfer to Tripoli in Libya.

According to a statement signed by the Osun State Police Relations Officer, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, the suspect invited the young girls to a birthday party at a hotel in Ile-Ife and gave them food and drinks.

After taking the food and drinks suspected to have been drugged, the girls slept off and later woke up in Kano State on their way to Libya.

“However, three of the girls escaped miraculously in Kano and called their parents who reported the matter to the police,” Mrs Opalola said.

She said three of the girls had been reunited with their families but the whereabouts of the fourth girl was unknown at the time of filing this report.

The suspect, according to the police, said the girls willingly accepted to go to Libya to work.

He said his brother who resided in Tripoli instructed him to get girls for him and send the girls to one man in Kano who would take them to Libya from Kano.

The suspect said when he got to the man’s house in Kano, he met so many girls that were being processed for the journey to Libya.

Mrs Opalola said the case would be diligently investigated and charged to court.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Politics

Guber Election: INEC Postpones Collation in Adamawa, Declares Kebbi Election Inconclusive

By Web News 459

The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed the collation of Adamawa governorship election results from Local Government Areas till noon.

State Collation Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, and Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Yakubu Ari, disclosed this on Monday, after the collation of results from 20 out of the 21 LGAs.

They noted that the exercise was postponed to enable verification of results from Fufore Local Government Area which were snatched.

Shortly before the shift, agents of both the Peoples’ Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress had urged INEC to ensure justice in the collation of the results before the declaration.

According to reports security agencies were also deployed to major roads in the state capital, following a protest by some political thugs in the metropolis after the adjournment.

Also,

Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday declared the governorship election in Kebbi as “inconclusive”.

The election was keenly contested by the two giant political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Collation and Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, announced the position at the collation centre situated at INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi.

Prof. Sa’idu said there were cancellations in 20 of the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State cutting across a number of Registration areas in different polling units.

Sa’idu said: “We aggregated the total number of collected PVCs in those polling units and it came to a total of 91,829.

And when we checked the results, the two leading political parties in this contest, APC and PDP polled 388,258 and 342,980 votes respectively. When we look at the difference, it stands at 45,278.”

He noted that they had no option but to refer to the electoral laws on page 31 of the Electoral Act 2022, section 51 sub-sections 2 and 3 for guidance.

According to him, the law read, “Where the number of votes cast in an election in any polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters in that polling unit, the presiding officer shall cancel the result of the election in that polling unit.

“Sub-section three of section 51 also states that where the result of an election is cancelled in accordance with subsection two, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has taken place in the affected polling unit.

“By virtue of these provisions and the powers vested in me as the collation and returning officer of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Kebbi State, I, Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, hereby declare the governorship election in Kebbi State inconclusive.”

Meanwhile,

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Yusuf Abba Kabir, as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The declaration was made in the early hours of Monday amid growing tension in the state.

According to the results declared by the Returning Officer for the Kano State Governorship election, Professor Ahmed Ibrahim, the NNPP candidate polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 890,705 votes.

Below are the results as announced by the Returning Officer:

Total number of registered voters – 5,921,370

Total number of accredited voters – 2,032,955

Total number of valid votes – 1,977,872

Total number of rejected votes – 27,092

Total votes cast – 2,004,964

In the meantime, owing to the growing tension in the state, a dawn-to-dusk curfew had been declared by the state government to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko /Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Health

Throat Ailment Claims 61 in Kano

By Web News 649

An outbreak of diphtheria infection has claimed 61 lives in Kano State as of March 2, 2023.

The Kano State Case Manager, Dr Salma Suwaid, disclosed this on Monday at a webinar organized by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention with the theme ‘Diptheria outbreak in Nigeria: Vaccination Response.’

Dr Suwaid also said a total of 783 patients have been on admission so far. Of this number, 360 were females and 423 were males.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects.

The ongoing diphtheria outbreak and the associated high-case fatality were due to a combination of low vaccination coverage and the absence of diphtheria antitoxin during the early stage of the outbreak.

According to Dr Suwaid who is also a consultant paediatrician so far, the infection has been confirmed in Kano, Yobe, Lagos, Osun, and Katsina states noted that the average hospital stay of the patients is four days.

“Eighty-three per cent of deaths occurred in patients with the onset of symptoms greater than 3 days and an average of 15 admission days.

“Sixty-eight per cent of patients have been discharged, 1.66 per cent absconded and 12.2 per cent died.”

The Pediatrician said there was a need to strengthen surveillance to ensure early detection of diseases of public health importance to mitigate their propagation at early stages.

Also speaking, Dr Adejoke Oladele of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency said the majority of the confirmed diphtheria cases in the country occurred in children aged 2 to 14 years.

She added that the agency is responding with vaccination and routine immunization in the states at risk.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said most confirmed cases of the infection are either not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko/Adetutu Adetule

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Politics

North-West, South-West Top 93 Million Voter Register List

By Web News 711

*Lagos has 7,060,195 voters, Kano 5,921,370, Kaduna 4,335,208

*INEC rules out postponement, says no going back on poll timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday released the final list of voters that will cast their ballots in the elections, with the North-West and South-West having the lion’s share of the 93.4 million eligible voters.

Presenting the voter register at a meeting with leaders of political parties at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, the commission’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the number of registered youths was 37,060,399.

In November 2022, the commission published the preliminary register of voters across the 774 local government areas on its website to enable eligible voters to confirm their details, as well as for Nigerians to report ineligible persons captured in the register.

Yakubu said the commission received more than 53,000 objections to the register, after which the ineligible voters were removed.

He stated, “After the cleaning-up of the data from the last continuous voter registration exercise, 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register, resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272, which was presented to Nigerians for claims and objections as required by law.

“At the end of the period for claims and objections by citizens, the commission received 53,264 objections from Nigerians to the prevalence of ineligible persons on the register by age, citizenship, or death. These names have been verified and removed from the register.”

According to the figures released by the commission, the North-West geopolitical zone has the highest number of registered voters with 22,255,562.

As of the 2019 elections, the North-West had 20.15m voters. However, the latest report released by INEC showed that over 2m new voters registered during the recently concluded continuous voter registration.

The South-West, which in 2019 had 16,292,212 registered voters, now has 17,958,966, having added 1,666,754 new registered voters.

The North-Central, which had 13,366,070 registered voters in 2019, now has 15,363,731.

The electoral body figures also show that the South-South has 14,440,714 registered voters. The region boasted 12,841,279 registered voters in 2019.

 On the other hand, the North-East currently has 12,542,429 up from 11,289, 293 voters it had in 2019 while the South-East has 10,907,606 up from 10,057,130 registered voters it had in 2019.

By gender, men surprisingly dominate the voter register at 49,054,162 (52.5 per cent) while the figure of female voters stands at 44,414,846 (47.5 per cent).

Lagos, Kano lead

Further breakdown by states showed that Lagos has the highest number of registered voters with 7,060,195, followed by Kano with 5,921,370 and Kaduna, 4,335,208.

Others include Abia, 2,120,808; Adamawa, 2,196,566; Akwa-Ibom, 2,357,418; Anambra, 2,656,437; Bauchi, 2,749,268; Bayelsa, 1,056,862; Benue, 2,777,727; Borno, 2,513,281; Cross River 1,766,466; Delta, 3,221,697; Ebonyi, 1,597,646; Edo, 2,501,081; Ekiti, 987,647; Enugu, 2,112,793; FCT, 1,570,307; Gombe, 1,575,794 and Imo, 2,419,922.

Other states are Jigawa, 2,351,298; Katsina, 3,516,719; Kebbi, 2,032,041; Kogi, 1,932,654; Kwara 1,695,927; Nasarawa, 1,899,244; Niger, 2,698,344; Ogun, 2,688,305; Ondo, 1,991,344; Osun, 1,954,800; Oyo, 3,276,675; Plateau, 2,789,528; Rivers, 3,537,190; Sokoto, 2,172,056; Taraba, 2,022,374; Yobe,1,485,146; and Zamfara, 1,926,870.

For the age group, registered youths (18-34) were 37,060,399; Middle aged (35-49) 33,413,591; Elderly (50-69), 17,700,270; old (70+) 5,294,748.

The INEC chairman assured Nigerians that the commission was not contemplating postponing the general elections.

Yakubu also stated that the timetable for the election had not changed, assuring that the elections would hold as scheduled.

He stated, “Following the display of the voter register nationwide and the conclusion of claims and objections by citizens, a new national register of voters has been compiled.

“In short, at no time in the recent history of the commission has so much of the forward planning and implementation been accomplished 44 days ahead of a general election.

“Therefore, the commission is not contemplating any adjustment to the election timetable, let alone the postponement of the general elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 while governorship and state assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday, 11th March, 2023.

“The repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of our personnel, materials and processes also reinforces our determination to proceed. The 2023 general elections will hold as scheduled. Any report to the contrary is not the official position of the commission.

“As a further affirmation of the commission’s readiness to conduct the 2023 general elections as scheduled, the final register of voters has been compiled. You would recall that for the 2019 general elections, Nigeria had a voter population of 84,004,084.

“After the cleaning-up of the data from the last continuous voter registration exercise (June 2021 – July 2022), 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272, which was presented to Nigerians for claims and objections as required by law.

“Consequently, the register of voters for the 2023 general election stands at 93,469,008.’’

He said the soft copy of the complete register would be presented to each political party, adding that it was organised by state, local government, ward and polling units.

The soft copy of the breakdown and analysis would be uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms shortly, Yakubu explained.

INEC pledges

Assuring the nation of INEC’s readiness to conduct a transparent and credible exercise, he said, “I would like to reiterate our commitment to transparent, credible and inclusive 2023 general elections.

‘’We will continue to take every step to protect the sanctity of the votes cast by citizens and to deal with infractions, including the arrest and prosecution of persons that attempt to perpetuate illegality at polling units on election day, be they under-aged voters or vote buyers.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Judiciary

Court Restrains Kano from Borrowing N10bn for CCTV

By Web News 548

A Federal High Court in Kano presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, on Friday restrained the Kano State Government from borrowing N10 billion for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

A coalition of NGOs, the Kano First Forum (KFF) filed a motion exparte dated June 27, sworn by the Director-General of the association, Dr Yusuf Isyaka-Rabiu.

KFF, through its counsel led by Mr Badamasi Suleiman-Gandu, prayed the court to restrain Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State from borrowing N10 billion loan.

Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of Kano State, Commissioner of Finance Kano and Speaker Kano State House of Assembly.

Justice Liman granted the prayers of KFF and restrained the first respondent from borrowing the N10 billion loan and ordered all parties to maintain status quo.

He also ordered the plaintiff to serve Federal Ministry of Finance, Debt Management office and Fiscal Responsibility Commission with the order and other court processes.

KFF is challenging the Governor of Kano State from borrowing the sum of N10 billion on the grounds of non compliance with rules and regulations governing loan transaction.

The applicants in their prayers challenged the state government for not complying with Dept Management Office Establishment Act 2003, Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and laws of Kano State 1968.

The adjourned date would be later communicated to both parties in the suit.

The State House of Assembly had on June 15 approved Ganduje’s request to access N10 billion from a commercial Bank.

The Nation/Olaolu Fawole

News

Man dies in soakaway trying to retrieve Phone – Police

By Web News 526

A 40-year-old-man identified as Muazu Garba, on Thursday lost his life in a failed attempt to recover his mobile phone, which fell into a pit toilet at Jirgiya Quarters, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The spokesman for the state Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, who confirmed the sad incident to our correspondent, said, “On Thursday, April 28, 2022, our formation received an emergency call from one Abbas Abubakar, who reported the incident at Jigirya Nassarawa Local Government Area.

“When our men arrived at the scene, they found that a man of about 40 years of age, Mu’azu Garba, from Katsina State, entered inside a soakaway with the intention to retrieve his cell phone. In the process, the victim was reportedly trapped, and subsequently rescued unconscious and later confirmed dead.

“We have handed over the remains of the victim to the ward head of Jigirya, Nuhu Adamu, while the cause of death was attributed to a failed attempt to retrieve his cell phone from a soakaway.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Crime

Teenager Gouges Eye of 12-Year Old Boy in Kano

By Web News 798

Nigeria Police Force, Kano state Command has detained a 17-year-old boy, Isah Hassan, for gouging out the right eye of a 12-year-old child, Mustapha Yunusa, with a knife.

Hassan stated that a woman asked him to pay Five hundred naira to prepare a voodoo ceremony for him to vanish.

Hassan was accused of luring the youngster, an Almajiri, into a bush, tying his hands, and plucking his right eye out.

A grandmother, Furera Abubakar, who claimed to be 100 years old, was also apprehended.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the suspects brought Yunusa to Rimin Hamza Quarters in Tarauni Local Government Area and used a sharp knife to remove his right eyeball before fleeing.

“Police took the victim to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where a medical Practitioner confirmed that the victim’s eyeball was violently removed using a sharp object, and the victim was hospitalised,” the PPRO added.

The adolescent suspect, a resident of Dantsinke in Rimin Hamza Quarters Tarauni LGA, was apprehended on Tuesday with the assistance of a local vigilante from Sheka Quarters, who added that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to perpetrating the crime.

Isah Hassan also revealed that he sought advice from his 16-year-old friend, Sani Abdulrahman, on how to obtain a charm that would allow him to vanish, after which the friend sent him to his grandmother, Furera.

Hassan went on to say that after giving the woman the eyeball, she ordered him to bring five hundred naira, but when he didn’t have the money, she advised him to put it in a safe place and bring it back when he did.

This, he claimed, caused him to hold the eyeball for 3 days, after which it deteriorated and he threw it away.

SP Kiyawa said the case has been sent to the Criminal Inquiry Department for further investigation.

FRCN Abuja

Transportation

One dies as Lagos-Kano Train derails in Kaduna

By Web News 1144

A narrow gauge train conveying soft drinks from Lagos to Kano has derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the train driver.

Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Zaria, Mallam Abdullahi Alhaji confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

According to Mallam Alhaji, the driver of the train, Bala Kawu died during the incident.

He said the incident happened as a result of the vandalism of slippers and other accessories on the rail track in the area.

Malam Alhaji added that rescue efforts are currently ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

NET/Olaolu Fawole

Health

FCT, 6 States On Red Alert Over COVID-19 Delta Variant

By Web News 661

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, PSC, has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT, on red alert as part of preventive measures against a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic following the confirmation of the Delta Variant and the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country.

Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, in a statement urges States to heighten preparedness and continue to enforce safety protocols, “given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant”.

The PSC also notes its plan to continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry, enforcing extant quarantine protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

While felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the statement stresses the need for Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for the wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

The statement recommends decentralization of Eid prayer to neighborhood Friday prayer mosques, suspension of durbar activities and limitations on indoor gatherings, as preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration

Emmanuel Kutara

Health

NSCDC Destroys N8m Substandard Goods

By Web News 646

The Operatives of Anti Vandalism Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano Command have destroyed thousands of cartons of expired mosquito coils and sub-standard electric cables.

This was contained in statement signed by the NSCDC Kano Command Public Relations officer, ASC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, and was made available to journalists in Kano.

The statement explains that the Anti Vandalism Unit of the Corps Kano State Command, in a joint operations with the staff of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Kano office embarked on a clampdown of traders who specialized in selling expired and sub-standard products that endangered lives of millions of Nigerians.

The statement further says the culprits had been charged to Court.

The products loaded in 2 trailer trucks worth over 8 million naira were destroyed publicly in a site at Rijiyar Gwangwan, Dawakin kudu LGA of Kano State.

Abdullahi jalaluddeen

 

 

News Yoruba

Ìjọba Àpapọ̀ Ti Fi Ikọ̀ Amúsẹ́yá Ránsẹ́ Sí Ìpínlẹ̀ Kano Lórí Àisàn Kan Tó Bẹ́ Sílẹ̀

By Web News 703

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ orílẹ̀èdè yíì ti rán ìgbìmọ̀ amúsẹ́yá lọ sípinlẹ̀ Kano, láti ló kápá àisàn pàjáwìrì kan tó bẹ́sílẹ̀ nípinlẹ̀ ọ̀hún.

Olùdarí àgbà pátápátá fún ibùdó tón rísí ìkápá àrùn lọ́lọ́kanòjọ̀kan nílẹ̀ yíì, NCDC, Dókítà Chikwe Ihekweazu ló sísọ lójú ọ̀rọ̀ yíì nílu Abuja lákokò ìpàdé alájùmọ̀se kan tígbìmọ̀ amúsẹ́yá tílesẹ́ àrẹ gbékalẹ̀ covid-19.

Ó sàlàyé pé, ìgbìmọ̀ amúsẹ́yá ọ̀hún yóò sàmójútó àwọn èèyàn bi ìgbà tó tilùgbàdì àisàn náà, pẹ̀lú àwọn èèyàn mẹ́rin tó ti tipasẹ́ rẹ̀ jáde láyé.

Dókítà Ihekweazu kò sài fikun pé, ilé-isẹ́ ètò ìlera ìpínlẹ̀ náà, sọ pé onírunru ẹ̀sùn làwọn tigbọ́ nípa àrùn náà, làwọn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀ bi mẹ́tàlá tón bẹ nípinlẹ̀ Kano, nínú èyí táisan iba, eebi kojú pọ́n àtàwọn èyí tíníse pẹ̀lú inu wa, gẹ́gẹ́bí àwọn àmì tíwọ́n ńrí.

Banjọ/Wojuade

Health

Expired Juice kills Two, Lands Many In Hospital

By Web News 888

Over one hundred people have been admitted to various government hospitals in the Kano metropolis and other Local Government areas of the state as a result of contracting an illness attributed to drinking expired juice.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa stated this during a chat with journalists, in Kano.
He said the strange illness which began five days ago lead to the death of two patients.

Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa said the state government has taken prompt measures by taking the diagnostic samples of the patients for laboratory test to examine more deeply issues associated with the disease.

The Commissioner noted that the Kano state government has provided all the needed logistics for taking care of the affected patients free of charge.

He urged the general populace to observe all the necessary hygiene protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of the strange ailment.

Frcn, Abuja

Crime

Mother Kills Own Children In Jealous Rage

By Web News 1231

A house wife in Kano identied as Hauwa has allegedly killed two of her children over rivalry and because her husband, one Ibrahim Haruna Aminu married a second wife.

The deceased kids were identified as Yusuf (5-year-old) and Zahra’u (3-year-old).

Reports gathered from their neighbors reveal that the incident occurred on Saturday morning in Diso village in Gwale Local Government area of Kano State.

Speaking to journalists the Uncle of deceased children, Sadiq Haruna Aminu said Hauwau, his brother’s wife and mother of the deceased children, have been living with envy and jealousy ever since his brother married another wife, leading to her killing her own children.

Sadiq told newsmen that his brother got married to a new wife two months ago.

He said the incident happened when the husband was away and in his new wife’s place.

His eldest wife, Hauwau called him on phone in the morning informing him that all is not well in their house only for him to go to the house and meet the lifeless bodies of the children in the pool of blood.

She carried out the atrocities and ran away from the house.

“She beat the children and used knife to cut them. Her sister’s daughter (10-year-old) who was living with them was also another victim but she survived with cut on her hand and she is the witness when the incident happened.

“We don’t know her whereabouts at the moment because we spoke with the security operatives. We learnt she went to her parent’s house,” Sadiq said.

The ward head of Diso, Ahmad Bello said they were all thrown into a state of shock with the incident.

Bello however condemned the act carried out by the woman saying she should have taken the matter to court instead of taking the laws into her hand and killing the innocent children.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Kano Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa confirmed the incident.

Mr Kiwaya said the suspect was in their custody, and investigation into the matter had already commenced.

Abdullahi Jalaluddeen

Yoruba

Àwọn olóṣèlú sọ̀rọ̀ lórí ìyọnupò Sanusi

By Web News 2558

Àwọn tọrọ kàn gbongbon tí ṣàpèjúwe bí wọ́n ti ṣe ro Emir tilu Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido lóye gẹ́gẹ́bí èyí tí kò bá wọn lójijì.

Wọn sọ̀rọ̀ yi nínú iforowanilenuwo pẹ̀lú akoroyin ilé isẹ Radio Nàìjíríà nilu Ìbàdàn. 

Onímò nípa ọ̀rọ̀ òṣèlú kan, omowe Gbade Ojo ni àwọn ọba alaye kò si bí wón ti ṣe Lee tó kó kọjá òfin ilẹ̀ yí nítorínáà ó yẹ ki wọn maa tee jẹjẹ.

Nínú ọ̀rọ̀ tí ẹ, baálè Èkótèdó, olóyè Taye Ayorinde ni Emir tí wọ́n yọ kúrò nípò yi kò yẹ kí ó máa dásí ọ̀rọ̀ òṣèlú.

Ẹnití wón yọ lóye fúnra rẹ̀ Mallam Sanusi Lamido nínú ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ ṣàpèjúwe oun tó ṣẹlẹ̀ sii gẹ́gẹ́bí èyí tí kìí se oun tuntun lábé ọrun nítorípé ipò kii ṣe oun tó wà karinkese. 

Ówá ro àwọn alatileyin rẹ láti fàyè gba alafia, kí wọ́n sì yàgò fún jagidijagan tó lèe da omi àlàáfíà ìpínlè Kano ru.

Lilian Ibomor/Yemisi Dada