The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed one official and forced another into retirement for taking bribes.
The decision was made during the commission’s 79th meeting on February 6, chaired by Chief Judge Dije Aboki.
According to the judiciary’s spokesperson, Baba Jibo, the disciplinary action followed an investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC).
The probe was triggered by a complaint from Alhaji Sani Bozo Rimin Gado against Hudu Idris, a registrar at the Upper Sharia Court in Gwarzo, and Abba Bala Gwarzo, a watchman at the same court.
The two were accused of extortion and illegal monetary demands. After appearing before the JPCC, they admitted to collecting a total of ₦214,000 in bribes.
As a result, Hudu Idris was demoted and placed on immediate compulsory retirement, while Abba Bala Gwarzo’s contract was terminated.
The JSC also reinstated three officials—Bilya Abdullahi, Auwalu Khalil, and Ismaila Garba—who had been suspended over allegations of forging a court reversal order.
An investigation by the JPCC and a police inquiry found no sufficient evidence to prosecute them. Consequently, their suspensions were lifted, though Bilya Abdullahi received a warning to avoid unethical conduct.
The commission also approved several new appointments in the judiciary. Chief Magistrate Hajara Ahmad was named acting chief registrar of the High Court of Justice, while Musa Umar became acting deputy chief registrar for administration and general services. Other appointments included:
– Usman Adam as acting deputy chief registrar (Magistracy)
– Fatima Yakasai as acting deputy chief registrar (Legal)
– Chief Magistrate Hadiza Bello as acting director of the Judicial Service Commission
– Chief Magistrate Zuhura Madaki as acting director of the Training Department
– Senior Magistrate Malikatu Nuraini as acting assistant director of the Training Department
Lead counsel Hassan Liman emphasized that the investigation was not a legal trial but a fact-finding mission.
He noted that ample time had been given for Tambuwal to testify, but his absence persisted.
The Commission’s chairman, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, confirmed the decision to end public hearings, citing over a year of proceedings and no further grounds for delays.
Witnesses have been given 14 days to submit written responses to outstanding memos, with 10 days for replies, before the inquiry formally concludes.
Aminu Dan’Agundi, a kingmaker in Emir Ado Bayero’s cabinet says the faction will appeal the recent Court of Appeal judgement.
Alhaji Aminu who is senior to the contending emir made the state state in relation to the suit regarding the Kano Emirship.
In ruling on the matter, the Appeal Court said the Federal High Court, Kano does not have the powers to interfere in the matter, a judgement welcomed by Kano State Government.
“This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of courts in such affairs,’’ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
However, addressing newsmen in Kano on Sunday, Dan’Agundi said he had instructed his legal team to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court.
He cited errors in the interpretation of the ruling on the side of government which backs Emir Muhammad Sunusi II for the throne.
He said it was wrong for the Appeal Court to interpret the case as a chieftaincy matter rather than a fundamental human rights violation.
Dan’ Agundi said he was not contesting the constitutional power of the Kano State House of Assembly to enact or repeal laws but that the Kano Emirate Council Law 2024 (Repeal) did not follow due process.
He said as a kingmaker in the Emirate Council he should have been accorded a fair hearing before the emirate council law was repealed.
“I went to the Federal High Court Kano to challenge the Kano State Government’s decision.
“After hearing from all the parties, the trial judge, Justice AM Liman, assumed jurisdiction to hear our case on merit.
“While delivering its judgment, the Appeal Court heavily relied on Supreme Court citation on Emir of Muri’s case, upholding that any issue relating to chieftaincy affairs has to go back to State High Court.
“But our case and that of Emir of Muri are different.
“Since the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain our case, there is nothing I can do than to appeal the judgement,” he said.
He said challenging the Appeal Court verdict meant that all actions regarding the Emirship be suspended pending the Supreme Court’s final judgment.
The unfortunately incident included members of the local vigilante group who were mistakenly identified as bandits fleeing from Gidan Makera in the Boko district of Zurmi LGA.
The governor commended the precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.
The governor said the strikes had significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits.
He said they had also demonstrated the Nigeria Air Force’s commitment to protecting civilians and safeguarding life and property.
“As a responsible government, the Zamfara State Government remains committed to sustaining the gains made in the fight against banditry and related criminalities.
“The recent success is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the state and federal security agencies, which have yielded positive results,” he said.
Lawal reaffirmed commitment to providing necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to sustain their operations and bring lasting peace to the state.
According to him, this includes enhancing intelligence sharing, providing logistics, and strengthening community engagement.
He noted that, unfortunately, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives.
“We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah.
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“The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families,” he said.
The governor called on the people to be vigilant, report all suspicious activities, and cooperate fully with security personnel.
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“Through collective effort and unity of purpose, the fight against banditry can be won, bringing enduring peace and stability to Zamfara,” he said.
As a Coalition for Justice and Rule of Law, convened by Dr. Bashir Danmalam faults the interpretation of the Appeal Court judgement by Kano State Government, which implies that the judgement is a validation of the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024.
They fault the Kano State Government’s interpretation of the judgement of the Court of Appeal regarding the Emir of Kano throne, saying it was concerned with the government’s stance on the court ruling.
Danmalam said contrary to the opinion of the government, the Court of Appeal never validated the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024.
Similarly, he said, the Court of Appeal did not validate the disputed current government’s actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions.
He argued that the Court of Appeal never validated, legalised or upheld the disputed actions of the Executive Governor of Kano State pursuant to the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024.
“Independent and unbiased minds appreciate the fact that the judgement of the Court of Appeal are two in numbers.
“One overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court on jurisdiction and the other overturned the entire judgement of the Kano State High Court,” he said.
Aminu Ado Bayero (l), Muhammadu Sanusi II (r)
According to him, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in respect of the Federal High Court ruling held that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters.
“The judgement is not in support of any of the postulations of the Kano State government.
“On the other side of the divide, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the sister appeal is clearly in favour of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero and the other 4 Emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye.
“This is because the Kano State High Court had earlier declared them improper by virtue of the new Emirate Law of 2024 and further directed the removal of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero,’’ he said.
He said the suit before the High Court was instituted by the government seeking nullification of the Emirship of Bayero, which the court granted to pave way for legitimacy of Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi II.
Danmalam said the implications of the Appeal Court judgement was that the continuous occupation of the throne by Bayero remained legitimate while the attempted enthronement of Sunusi remained questionable.
“We extend our appreciation to the judiciary for upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
“We therefore strongly advise the Kano State Government to stop misleading itself and the public that the judgement of the Court of Appeal is in its favour,” he said.
Most news organisations, including the Nigerian Anchor recalls that the Kano State Government welcomed the judgement as a validation of Sanusi’s Emirship,
“This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of the courts in such affairs,“ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
However, the Bayero camp has indicated that it would appeal against the Appeal Court judgement at the Supreme Court.
“I have already instructed my lawyers to obtain a certified true copy of the judgement.
“Once an appeal is lodged at the Supreme Court, the decision of a lower court is stayed until the case is fully resolved,” said Aminu Dan’Agundi, senior counsel to Bayero.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was first crowned Sarki Muhammadu Sunusi II (anglicized as Sanusi) on 9 June 2014, the fifty-seventh monarch of the ancient-city Kano.
He was however, ousted in 2020 by then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state after being accused of showing “insubordination” to the authorities.
His supporters were however, of the believe that he was sacked as he showed signs of opposing the re-election of the governor.
After his dethronement, Governor Ganduje influenced the Kano state house of assembly to pass a law that created five new emirates in the state and appointed Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir in Kano.
The Emir of Kano, hierarchically is the fourth-most-important Islamic traditional ruler in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno and Emir of Gwandu.
Informed sources in Kano opine that the current ping pong represents power play between the federal government and the kano state government, with each favouring a particular candidate as emir.
It is almost midterm and Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State joins state executives rejigging the cabinet as he reshuffles the State Executive Council on Monday.
He gave the reason for the cabinet reshuffle as the need to ensure optimum performance of the administration’s ‘Building Your Future’ agenda.
His decision was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed.
According Malam Kaula-Mohammed, one of the newly appointed commissioners, Alhaji Malik Anas, would now head the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The new commissioner holds a Masters of Business Administration of the Bayero University, Kano, and former Accountant-General of Katsina State.
Alhaji Bello Kagara, the former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, is now the Commissioner for Finance.
Also, Alhaji Bashir Tanimu, who previously served as Finance Commissioner, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Alhaji Yusuf Rabi’u-Jirdede has been deployed from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment.
The cabinet makeover also saw Alhaji Adnan Nahabu being moved from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment to the Ministry of Special Duties.
Many informed analysts across the globe that are well aware of the prowess and gallantry of the Nigerian army at war will marvel at how ragtag militias under the leadership of semi-literate individual like Bello Turji would be creating horrors for villagers within Nigeria.
It is shocking therefore, that Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, will step up his violent campaign in Sokoto, launching attacks across the Zamfara-Sokoto border and remain elusive.
Former Governor of Sokoto, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has called for immediate government intervention, warning that Turji’s actions are wreaking havoc and disrupting local life.
Recent reports reveal that Turji, angered by the detention of his relatives by security forces, had demanded their release by January 1, 2025.
Failing to meet this ultimatum, he and his militia have launched a series of brutal assaults, particularly in Shinkafi Local Government Area, forcing hundreds to flee.
Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara has firmly stated that his administration is not seeking peace talks with the bandits, instead focusing on strengthening support for military and local security forces to regain control of the state.
Previously, on Christmas Day, Turji had threatened to start the new year with a violent rampage, including kidnappings and killings, targeting Shinkafi and its neighboring communities.
Following through on his threats, bandits abducted passengers from Gusau, setting their vehicle ablaze and taking the victims into the wilderness.
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed confusion over the recent blockade of the Gidan Rumfa Palace in Kano, which took place last week.
Despite the police and Department of State Services (DSS) blocking the entrance and restricting movement, the reasons for the action remain unclear.
Sources revealed that the blockade might be linked to the appointment of Munir Sanusi as the new District Head of Bichi or a planned discussion on controversial tax reforms.
The Kano State Government has criticized the Federal Government for the security action, but the Emir emphasized that it should not distract from the important affairs of the palace.
Speaking to a delegation from Bichi, Sanusi reassured the people that the event would be rescheduled, and the District Head would be installed peacefully.
He urged Bichi residents to remain calm and peaceful, reflecting on his personal connection to the area where he spent much of his childhood vacations.
Sanusi, who has deep ties to the Bichi community, highlighted the area’s peaceful nature and strong educational and religious values.
He also mentioned the respect the people have for the Wambai Abubakar, further reinforcing his belief in the unity of the Bichi people.
Additionally, the Bichi event venue was similarly barricaded, leaving attendees and organizers in limbo.
The reasons for the actions remain unclear, fueling widespread speculation of political motivations.
Neither the Kano State Government nor the Emirate Council has released an official statement, while police authorities declined to comment on the matter.
