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Category: Kano Update

  • Veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Daso dies while fasting

    Veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Daso dies while fasting

    A veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Gidado, popularly known as Daso, is dead.

    A local radio station in Kano State announced that the popular actress died in her sleep.

    Her family members explained that the actress failed to wake up on Tuesday morning after the midnight meal before the commencement of the day’s Ramadan fast, Sahur.

    Daso, until her death, was a prominent figure in the Hausa film industry for over 18 years.

    Her remarkable performances and versatile roles endeared her to audiences across the Northern region.

    Before she took up the illustrious acting career, Saratu was a dedicated school teacher.

    The announcement of her passing has left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a beloved talent.

    As preparations were underway for her funeral, scheduled for 4:00 pm, tributes have continued to pour in from all corners of the entertainment world.

  • Fraud, Bribery Allegation: Kano government sues Ganduje, wife, others

    Fraud, Bribery Allegation: Kano government sues Ganduje, wife, others

    The Kano State government has dragged the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, and others to court for allegedly collecting $200,000 from a contractor.

    The eight-count charges, according to the government, are offences contravening the state Public Complaints and Anti-Commission Commission Law 2008.

    The state government also accused Ganduje of collecting $210,000 kickback from “people and entities seeking or holding the execution of Kano State Government contract and or projects for the remodelling of Kantin Kwari textile market as a bribe through one of the contractors (agent)”.

    Other defendants in the case are Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lesaga General Enterprises.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of September 2020 and March 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, wholly owned and maintained by the 3rd Defendant, agreed to do an illegal act to wit: dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd Defendant being monies earmarked and approved for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment for the health sector, thereby causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State and thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991,” part of the charge sheet reads

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, sometime between the period of September 2020 and January 2022 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, together with one Hafsat Umar (your spouse) and Abubakar Bawuro, a Businessman, Safari Textile Ltd, a limited liability company, while entrusted with the sum of N1,376,000,000.00 (One Billion Three Hundred and seventy-six million Naira) or dominion over the said sum, earmarked for the purchase and supply of face masks and other hospital equipment dishonestly misappropriated and/or converted the said sum to your own use through account No. 7085982019 belonging to the 3rd defendant, thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of The penal code (as amended) CAP, 105, Vol.2.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant (Umar Abdullahi Umar) being your biological son using 6th defendant (Lamash Properties Ltd) a company owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit of all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPD/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsorily acquired by you being the Governor of Kano State from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) where it was sold and the proceed part of which the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. Domicile at Access Bank where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant to the detriment of the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of The penal code (as amended) CAP,105, Vol.2. The Laws of Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.

    “That you, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje sometime between the period of March of 2021 or thereabout, at Kano in the Kano Judicial Division, while serving as the Governor and being a public servant in the government of Kano State for your own benefit and that of your immediate family conspired with the 4th defendant Umar Abdullahi Umar, being your biological son using 6th defendant Lamash Properties Ltd a company substantially owned and or operated by members of your family including the 4th defendant and dishonestly allocated 501 (five hundred and one) high-density plots of lands you hold in trust for the benefit all Nigerians at Zawachiki layout No. TP/KNUPDA/256B in the name of the 6th defendant company under the pretext of site and services arrangement in the land compulsory acquired by you as a governor of Kano state from destitute members of the public (peasant farmers) which was sold and the proceeds, the sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was deposited in the account of Bureau de change operator vision Steel link Ltd No. 7816362026 Domicile at FCMB where dollar equivalent was given to the 4th defendant thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and causing wrongful loss to the people and government of Kano State thereby jointly committed the offence Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and read together with section 79 and punishable under section 312 of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.”

    The state government said a forensic expert would analyse the video, showing the former governor receiving dollar notes from a contractor.

    Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as governor of Kano from 2015 to 2023.

    In 2018, Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published a video of Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollars from contractors, which he stuffed into his “babanriga”, a traditional outfit

    The newspaper said the former governor requested $5 million as a bribe from the contractors who recorded the video.

    In 2023, the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning over the incident in the video.

    The former governor did not honour the invitation and instead instituted a suit against the agency.

    In March, a federal high court in Kano stopped the agency from inviting or questioning Ganduje over the bribery allegations.

    The court ruled that the agency lacks the power to invite or investigate Ganduje over the allegations.

    Abdullahi Liman, the presiding judge, said the alleged infraction is a federal offence that can not be prosecuted by the state anti-graft agency.

  • Why I Didn’t Shake Kano Governor’s Hands – Ahmed Musa

    Why I Didn’t Shake Kano Governor’s Hands – Ahmed Musa

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has said he refused to shake the hands of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, in a recent video, out of respect for him and his office.

    Musa said this in a statement via his Instagram page on Tuesday amid a social media storm surrounding a viral video showing his refusal to shake the Kano governor.

    In the video, the footballer was seen shaking hands with the Kano State deputy governor while bowing to the governor and seemingly ignoring his handshake.

    In the statement, Musa described his action as a sign of cultural respect while calling for a shift in attention towards the pressing issues facing the nation.

    The Super Eagles captain asserted that the significance behind his gestures emphasised the deep-rooted traditions of the Northern culture.

    He, however, expressed disappointment that the incident has garnered such widespread attention, even from national media outlets, diverting focus from more pressing matters facing the country.

    Musa urged Nigerians to redirect their energy towards finding solutions to the nation’s problems rather than getting caught up in needless distractions.

    He said: “It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago, has unexpectedly become the centre of attention on social media. It is disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion.

    “In our Northern culture, the gesture of kneeling, shaking hands, etc. signifies the highest form of respect. This was my intention when I greeted the deputy governor in such a manner.

    “However, when it came to greeting the governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honouring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition.

    “It’s unfortunate that amidst all the pressing issues our nation faces – economic hardships, security challenges, religious clashes, and more – this seemingly insignificant moment has garnered so much attention.

    “What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally.

    “Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions?

    “I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all.”

  • Why I Appointed Kwankwaso’s Son As Commissioner – Gov Yusuf Explains

    Why I Appointed Kwankwaso’s Son As Commissioner – Gov Yusuf Explains

    Kano state Governor, Abba Yusuf, has explained the rationale behind the appointment of Mustapha Kwankwaso, son of former Governor of Kano state and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a member of his cabinet.

    Yusuf appointed Kwankwaso’s son, alongside three others for commissioner position in the state.

    The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, confirmed the receipt of the executive list during a plenary session on Tuesday.

    He announced that the screening of the commissioner nominees will commence early next week, marking the next step in formalizing their appointments.

    Reacting to the outburst that greeted the development, Yusuf, in a statement titled “In Defence of Mustapha Kwankwaso’s appointment.” issued through the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Kwankwaso has promoted many young people including men and women.

    The Governor clarified that Mustapha’s appointment was not payback, but he is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly for the success of the present administration in Kano.

    The Statement reads: “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has promoted hundreds of thousands of young men and women, many of them sons and daughters of common men and women.

    “He promoted children of nobody to become somebody in the eyes of world today and he also created platforms and political spaces for many of us from humble backgrounds to occupy various elective and appointment positions at Local, State and Federal Government levels.

    “One of Sen. Kwankwaso’s beneficiaries, The Executive Governor of Kano decided to promote the son of his benefactor, not really as a pay but because Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly to the success of the present administration in Kano.

    “The Governor empowers youths and allow them to explore their potentials. Certainly, Mustapha cannot be an exception due to his paternal history, that shouldn’t be a barrier to his political career as he has decided to be a politician, like his father.”

  • Kano Hisbah Boss Resigns, Gives Reason

    Kano Hisbah Boss Resigns, Gives Reason

    The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa has resigned his position.

    Giving reasons for the resignation, Daurawa cited “discouragement” from the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

    He expressed disappointment at the governor’s remarks despite his efforts to uphold societal morality during his time at Hisbah. 

    In a video shared on social media, he mentioned being in Kaduna State discussing the implementation of mandatory pre-marital health checks in Kano, similar to other states. 

    He highlighted his efforts to engage with Kannywood and TikTok personalities, providing guidance and financial support. 

    However, he acknowledged facing criticism from Kano and apologized to the governor for his frustration, announcing his resignation from his position at Hisbah.

    His words:

    ” I’ve encountered discouraging comments from Kano, despite my efforts at Hisbah to promote societal morality.

    “I’ve actively engaged with Kannywood and TikTok celebrities, offering guidance and even providing financial assistance to some TikTokers. I even extended advice to Murja too.

    “Unfortunately, those who disregarded our guidance faced consequences.

    “But I am saying sorry to the Excellency Governor for being angry, I sorry to say I have resigned from the position he gave me in Hisbah, I wish him best in his leadership.”

  • Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    In a significant move to enhance its revenue-generating capabilities, the Kano State Government has terminated the services of eight directors from its Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, sanctioned the dismissals in alignment with the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve its objectives.

    This is  according to a KIRS circular signed by Chairman Sani Abdulkadir Dambo.

    The sacked directors include the Director of Assessment, Muhammad Kabir Umar; Director of Human Resources, Kabiru Magaji; Director of Government Business, Ibrahim Sammani; Aminu Umar Kawu, Director of Road and Other Taxes, and Muhd Auwal Abdullahi, Director of Tax Audit, Investigation and Debt Management.

    Others affected are Abubakar Garba Yusuf, Director of ICT, Hamisu Ado Magaji, Director of PAYE, and Bashir Yusuf Madobi, Director of Legal and Enforcement.

  • Kano Guber: Supreme Court Affirms Abba Yusuf Victory

    Kano Guber: Supreme Court Affirms Abba Yusuf Victory

    The Supreme court has upheld the election of the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the governor of the state.

    The five-man panel of the court lead by John Inyang Okoro, held that the 165, 616 votes complied with the provisions of Section 71 of the Electoral Act have been signed and stamped by the election agents.

    The court held that the All Progressive Congress (APC) and it’s flagbearer, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, failed to prove that the votes were unlawful.

    Therefore, the court ordered that the signed and stamped 165, 616 votes be returned to the appallant.

    With the verdict, the court thereby set aside the judgement of the lower court and declared that the Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf won the 2023 governorship election in Kano State with the majority votes.

    The Independent National Electronic Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Yusuf as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election, saying he garnered 1,019,602 votes to defeat Gawuna who got 890,705 of the votes cast.

    Consequently, the APC headed the Tribunal, citing alleged electoral malpractice.

    The Tribunal in its ruling nullified Yusuf’s election, adding that over 160,000 ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC”.

    The three-man panel of the Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, after deducting 165,663 of his votes.

    Yusuf’s votes were subsequently reduced to 853,939 while Ganuwa’s 890,705 votes were not affected.

    Not satisfied, Yusuf proceeded to the Appeal court which held that it can be seen that the Tribunal acted in the overall interest of justice when it allowed APC’s tendering of documents during trial.

    The court held that INEC released documents to the APC piecemeal in order to defeat the petition of the petitioner.

    The judgement further posited
    the the Petitioner’s insistence that APC ought to have joined its candidate, Ganuwa, as a party at the Tribunal proceedings, was not backed by the 1999 Constitution.

    It maintained that a candidate is entitled to be represented by his political party during litigation, adding that every political party shall maintain the register of its voters.

    The court said the appellant to his own detriment did not submit his NNPP membership registrar or even tendered his statement on oath regarding his membership of the party.

    The court added that the name of Abba is not the NNPP membership registrar.

    “As rightfully found, Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP at the time he was purportedly sponsored by his party and he was not qualified to contest the March Governorship Election,” the court while affirming the judgment of the Tribunal.

    “If you claim to be a member of a political party, is it not logical for you to say so by yourself and not by proxy?

    “Even though membership of a political party is an internal affair, a political party cannot be permitted to circumvent or breach the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    “The Tribunal was wrong not to have disqualified the appellant.

    “Therefore the failure of the appellant and the NNPP to comply with the 1999 Constitution is fatal to their election.

    “All issues in this appeal are dismissed and the judgment of the Tribunal is affirmed,” the court held.

  • 18 die, 12 injured in Kano auto crash

    18 die, 12 injured in Kano auto crash

    *Corpses given mass burial – FRSC

    Eighteen passengers were killed in an auto crash at the weekend 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 over speeding, 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. 

  • Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Outgoing Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has inaugurated the Kano NUJ Plaza constructed by his administration and donated to the state Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ).

    Ganduje also inaugurated the NUJ Conference Hall, also rehabilitated and modernised by his administration, to enable the union host local and international conferences in order to generate revenue to finance its services.

    Performing the two functions simultaneously at the NUJ Secretariat by Farm Centre Road in Kano on Sunday, the governor explained that his government constructed the plaza and rehabilitated the conference hall to appreciate and reward the good working relationship that existed between his administration and journalists in the state.

    Ganduje commended working journalists in the state for informing, educating, and enlightening the people of the state on the policies and programmes of his administration during its eight-year tenure.

    He said the government’s gesture would help to consolidate, enrich and sustain the good working relationship between the journalists and the government, and the people of the state.

    Earlier, the state’s outgoing Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, thanked the governor for his immense contribution to his progression in both his journalism and public service careers, including his rise to become the President of the NUJ and the President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA).

    Garba also appreciated the governor for appointing him as his Chief Press Secretary when he (Ganduje) was the Deputy Governor of Kano State, and also when he became governor appointed him as his Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, a position he held for eight years.

    He said the position enabled him to initiate and actualise the legacy projects – the Plaza and Conference Hall rehabilitation at the Kano NUJ secretariat, thanking the governor for constructing and donating the 24-shop plaza to the NUJ and modernising the conference hall for the union.

    The commissioner expressed delight that he was leaving behind the two legacy projects for which he will be remembered by working journalists and the people of the state for a long time to come.

    In their separate remarks, the President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isuguzo, who was represented by the NUJ Deputy National President, Malam Alasan Yaya, and the Chairman of Kano NUJ, Malam Abbas Ibrahim, also thanked the Ganduje for the gesture.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to both the governor and Garba for their good services to humanity. 

  • Civil Defence nabs 5 suspected phone snatchers in Kano

    Civil Defence nabs 5 suspected phone snatchers in Kano

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command has arrested five suspected phone snatchers, the command’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi said on Wednesday.

    Idris-Abdullahi, who listed the suspects as: Faisal Usman, 28, Mansur Isa, 38, Abdullahi Bashir, 25, Ahmed Ibrahim, 21and Zulkifil Bello, 25, said they specialise in stealing and snatching of phones.

    “The suspects operate and engage in a dastardly act around Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area of the state, where they steal and snatch handsets belonging to innocent people.

    “Men of the corps intelligence and investigation department are on the trails of the suspects’ accomplices one Mr Sunday and Abdullahi) whom they used to sell the phones and Sim cards to,” he said.

    The spokesperson said that items, which include three mobile phones and a bunch of keys, were recovered from the suspects.

    He said investigation was ongoing, adding that once completed, the suspects will be charged to court.

    He said that the command would sustain the fight against phone snatching, crimes and criminality, as well as the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.