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Inside Kano: Shari’ah Court Judges Remanded For Alleged Theft, Forgery

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Cashier with the Kano State Sharia Court Division, Hussaina Imam, alongside 14 others, including judges, registrars and financial registrars, were on Wednesday arraigned before the court and remanded in a custodial centre over allegations of theft, forgery, criminal conspiracy and breach of trust.

When the case came up before Chief Magistrate Mustapha Datti, the Principal State Counsel, Kano State Ministry of Justice, Zaharaddeen Mata, prayed the court to grant him leave to read the first information report to the defendants.

The report read, “On August 20, 2021, an official complaint was received at the commission from the Kano State Ministry of Justice that sometime in 2020/2021, you, Bashir Ali Kurawa, Saadatu Umar, Tijjani Abdullahi, Maryam Jibrin Garba, Shamsu Sani and Hussaina Iman, committed an offence of criminal conspiracy during which you, Hussaina Imam, used your official position as cashier in the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal and conspired with the aforementioned persons, including one Suleiman (now at large) and forged the letterhead papers/sheets of the Sharia Court of Appeal, forged the signatures of the two signatories to the Stanbic IBTC bank account 0020667440, belonging to the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal and stole money to the tune of N484,067,327, by fraudulently authorising the bank to transfer the said amount to various bank accounts without the knowledge and/or consent of the authorised body/persons.

“An official complaint was received by the commission from the Kano State Ministry of Justice that sometime between 2018 and 2021, you, Sani Ali Muhammad, Sani Buba Aliyu, Bashir Baffa, Garzali Wada, Hadi Tijjani Mu’azu, Alkasim Abdullahi, Yusuf Abdullahi, Mustapha Bala Ibrahim, Jafar Ahmad, Adamu Balarabe, Aminu Abdulkadir, Abdullahi Suleiman Zango, Garba Yusuf, Bashir Ali Kurawa and Hussaina Imam, criminally conspired, breached the trust in you as public servants, acted jointly and created 15 fake civil servants’ death benefit files and fraudulently siphoned funds to the tune of N96,250,000 that was remitted by the Kano State Pension Fund Trustee to the bank accounts of the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal and stole the said amount through eight Sharia courts under the Kano State Sharia Court Appeal, without the consent and knowledge of the authorising authority.”

When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, counsel for the defendants, Garzali Ahmad, Sani Ibrahim, Mubarak Wada, Bashir Ahmad and Mustapha Hussein, urged the court to grant them bail.

The defence counsel, Zaharaddeen Mata, however, asked the court to consider the huge amount involved in the case.

He said, “Considering the huge amount involved in the alleged crime, we urge the court, pursuant to Section 175 of ACJL 2019 to order the defendants to deposit some amount of money or valued property, as security.”

The magistrate, Mustapha Datti, adjourned the case till February 1, 2023, for hearing and ordered the remand of the defendants in a custodial centre.

Briefing journalists shortly after the proceedings, the Acting Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mahmoud Balarabe, said the agency, during its investigations into the case, recovered vehicles, jewellery, landed property and other valuables, including the sum of N8m, from the defendants, which would be used as exhibits.

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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Ohanaeze Distances Self From Peter Obi’s Vilification Of Umahi

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday condemned the unfair slander that Peter Obi and other opponents had perpetrated against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Obi and his backers had publicly blasted Umahi for overseeing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, claiming it was a waste of tax dollars.

In a statement released by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze stated that the organisation remained unwavering in the face of a barrage of unjustified criticism and unfounded insults directed at Umahi’s visionary efforts and the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road.

It said the cacophony of disparagement and negative fervour surrounding these transformative initiatives raised eyebrows and prompts reflections on the true motives behind such aggression; clearly not in the interest of the Nigerian people.

“In response to the recent controversies clouding the Lagos Calabar Coastal Project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally denounces the unjust vilification aimed at Senator Dave Umahi by Peter Obi and other detractors.

“Setting the records straight, Ohanaeze calls for private dialogue and constructive engagements rather than resorting to public confrontations that could impede the much-needed infrastructural development in the Southeast.

“The recent expressed interest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reconstructing major federal highways in the Southeast is a monumental step towards remedying decades of neglect, exemplified by ongoing projects like the Markudi-Nsukka-Nightmile-Enugu,the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar Expressway and others, enabled by innovative Cement Technology,” the body said.

Ohanaeze urged Obi to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects.

The organization stressed the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and discouraged actions that could sow discord among the Igbo community and Nigerians at large.

The body said it is privy to intelligence reports debunking the baseless arrest rumours swirling around Obi, dismissing these as spurious fabrications propagated by malicious elements seeking to undermine the transformative infrastructure strides led by the Tinubu administration under the able stewardship of Umahi.

“It is imperative for Peter Obi to refrain from public acrimony towards Senator Dave Umahi, a stalwart of progress and development in Nigeria and the Southeast, in recognition of the monumental efforts by President Tinubu and Umahi to rectify longstanding infrastructural deficits in the region.

“The Southeast craves an infrastructural revolution that transcends political affiliations, cherishing progress over petty opposition accolades,” Ohanaeze stated.

Ohanaeze emphasised its clarion call for unity and mutual understanding and reiterated support for the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, asserting that the shoreline falls under the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way jurisdiction.

“Ohanaeze reaffirms the unwavering solidarity of Nigerians and the Igbo community in championing President Tinubu and Senator Umahi’s laudable efforts in advancing national infrastructure, exemplified by the recent allocation of a 2.75 billion compensation fund for affected property owners along the project’s Right-of-Way.

“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians. The organization echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria,” the body said.

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AY Makun, Seyi Law, Others Grace Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos [PHOTOS]

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Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, had a dedication ceremony for his triplets, and in attendance were celebrities like AY Makun, Seyi Law, Chi Girl, MC Lively, and many more.

Gathering Ali Baba’s friends, family, and business associates, the celebration was held on Sunday at Lagos.

An event at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ The Lord Central Parish in Lekki, served as the kickoff for the dedication.

At an event centre on Hakeem Dickson Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, there was a reception held after the service.

Other guests at the event included Chigul, Bunmi Davis, Ajebo Comedian, and Adebola Williams.

Ali Baba had on April 1 announced that his wife, Mary was delivered a set of triplets.

Many, however, did not believe the information which they tagged April Fools’ message.

 

See More Photos Here:

 

Photo Credit: The Cable.

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BREAKING: Ikeja Electric Slashes Tariff For Band A Customers By 9%

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The energy rate for Band A users of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IE) has been reduced from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh

In a circular signed by the management of the company on Monday, IE said the customers will now pay N206.80/kwh, rather than the stipulated N225/kwh ordered by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

According to the statement, IE guaranteed to provide 20 to 24 hours of electricity to users under this Band, adding that the tariff for customers under other categories will remain the same.

“Dear Esteemed Customers

“Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily.The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.

“Signed: Management.”

 

 

More to come…

More details later….

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