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Kano State Government Orders Demolition Of Section Of Ado Bayero’s Palace, Cites “Decapitation”

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The Kano state government has ordered the demolition of a section of the palace of Ado Bayero, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano.

The state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Haruna Dederi, said the government has directed the police to take over the Emir’s palace in Nassarawa LGA.

Dederi said the state government has concluded arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the palace, including demolishing “dilapidated walls”.

Recall that a federal high court in Kano, earlier on Thursday, nullified all actions by the Kano state government repealing the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019.

Muhammad Liman, the presiding judge, ordered parties to maintain the status quo.

Liman held that the defendants were aware of an interim order previously granted by the court but ignored it and implemented the law.

The judge said he would assume his coercive powers to enforce compliance with the court order.

However, the judge transferred the case to another federal high court judge, Simon Amobeda, for continuation given his elevation to the court of appeal.

Speaking on the court ruling, the commissioner said the state government acknowledged the verdict.

”The Kano State Government acknowledges the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and views same as upholding the rule of law,” he said.

“By the ruling of the court, it has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by  Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May 2024 by 5:10 pm.

“This part of the judgement is very fundamental to the entire matter. A further implication of the ruling is that all actions done by the Government before the emergence of the interim order of the honourable court, are equally validated.

“This means that the abolishing of the five emirates created in 2019 is validated and the deposition of the five emirs is also sustained by the federal high court.

“By implication, this means that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the Emir of  Kano. The judge also granted our application for the stay of proceedings until the court of appeal deals with the appeal before it on jurisdiction.

“Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of His Highness, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, were done on 23rd May 2024 before the emergence of the interim order, which was served on us on Monday 27th May 2024,” the commissioner told journalists on Thursday.

“Following this Court’s ruling, the Kano State Government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to remove the deposed emir of the 8 metropolitan local governments from the government property where he is trespassing, as the government has already concluded arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the property, including the demolishing and reconstruction of the dilapidated wall fence, with immediate effect.”

BIG STORY

RCCG Pastor Absconds With $8000 Church Money, Abandons Wife, Marries New One

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A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God has reportedly fled with “$8,000” in church funds, left his wife behind, and married another woman.

Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer, Worldwide, of the RCCG, disclosed this while speaking at a men’s programme.

She explained in a video monitored by Church Times that the pastor was given the money for mission work in South Africa but instead abandoned his wife and relocated to the United States, where he married someone else.

Adeboye said the incident happened during a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, where she preached at the RCCG parish led by the pastor. The church service was held in a rented space at an eatery.

While she was ministering, a woman entered and began packing chairs, apparently indicating their allotted time was over. Surprised by this, Adeboye asked the pastor what it would cost to get a permanent site.

The pastor, who she said hails from Ekiti State, suggested that “$8,000” would allow them to begin the process by purchasing a used vehicle. He proposed giving the vehicle to a tourism agency to generate returns for acquiring a permanent church building.

Encouraged by the idea, Adeboye gave him the money.

However, the pastor had other plans. After receiving the funds, he travelled to the United States and left his wife behind in South Africa.

She noted that the abandoned woman is now in a distressed state, nearly “running mad.”

Church Times quoted Pastor Adeboye as saying: “RCCG men, what are we going to do? Are we going to continue with such a lying spirit, a deceitful spirit to the God of the kingdom?”

She stressed the need to return to core values of faith and truthfulness. Recalling past hardships, she said: “We must get to the point where we say wherever He leads, we follow. We were in this bush. For three years, there was no light. We went back to the days of the lantern and we were grinding with stone, whereas where we were coming from we had grinding machines, we had washing machines.”

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BIG STORY

Federal Government Targets 8,000MW In 18 Months With Efficient Power Grid

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The Federal Government has expressed confidence that improved oversight of the national power grid by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) could boost electricity output to 8,000 megawatts within the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking at a leadership retreat for NISO’s top management in Abuja, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Gbeleyi, said the nation’s installed capacity is above 14,000MW, but actual generation remains around 5,500MW.

Gbeleyi noted that with enhanced grid management and greater investment in transmission and distribution systems, the sector is positioned to see major improvements soon.

“As an independent entity, NISO now carries the weighty responsibility of managing the national grid with impartiality and integrity. In doing so, it must guarantee non-discriminatory access, efficient dispatch coordination, and fair market settlement, free from undue influence or conflict of interest,” he said.

He added, “From where we stand today, we have about 5,500MW of power being wheeled on a day-to-day basis. Compare that with the fact that the total nameplate capacity for generation in the country is a bit above 14,000MW. So it’s not a tall order for us to believe that in the near term, 12 to 18 months, we can increase that 5,500 by a minimum of 50%, because the generation capacity is there. If this grid capacity can be scaled up and we build in resilience, chances are that with distribution infrastructure also being scaled up.”

He also revealed that the Federal Government has secured $500 million from the World Bank to finance distribution network upgrades. This includes providing 3.2 million meters nationwide, alongside another 2 to 3 million meters under a presidential initiative.

Chairman of the NISO Board, Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, stressed the importance of independence and coordination in delivering reliable power services.

“NISO is not just a new institution. It is a new idea. A system operator that is truly independent. A market coordinator that is truly neutral. A planning authority that is truly strategic. We are responsible for real-time grid operations, long-term system planning, and the coordination and development of the electricity market. These are not side functions, they are central pillars. Because when power fails, everything else, industry, healthcare, education, even security struggles,” he said.

Managing Director/CEO of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello, stated that the goal is realistic, provided focus is maintained and private investment is attracted.

“It is a target that can be achieved. We have to put ourselves and our house in order by making sure that we are focused and making sure that we also attract investment from the private sector. I believe if we are able to do that, given this retreat, this retreat is part of the plan to keep us focused. We will have a direction, strategic plan, and actions going forward. So it’s achievable,” he said.

Executive Director of Portfolio Management at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Tajudeen Ahmed, affirmed that MOFI will fully support NISO in delivering on its mandate.

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BIG STORY

Keyamo Faults Atiku’s Use Of Coat Of Arms In PDP Resignation Letter, Says “You Left Office 18 Years Ago”

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Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for using a coat of arms letterhead to announce his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He also expressed disapproval over Abubakar making the resignation letter public during the period of national mourning for the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari passed away on Sunday at a clinic in London, United Kingdom, and was laid to rest on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina state.

President Bola Tinubu had declared a seven-day period of national mourning in Buhari’s honour.

Despite this, Abubakar’s resignation letter from the PDP, dated July 14, was shared online on Wednesday.

Responding to the letter shared by Paul Ibe, Abubakar’s media adviser, on X, Keyamo said the former vice-president’s “perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy”.

He wrote, “Your Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political Parties at any time you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself.”

“In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former President was announced.”

“With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial Presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy.”

Keyamo also pointed out that Abubakar’s use of the coat of arms letterhead, despite leaving office 18 years ago, is “illegal”.

He said, “And since we are on the issue of your letter, it is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago.”

He cited Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as the basis for his claim.

The law states that “Any person who, otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted by the Minister or under other lawful authority, uses or displays- (a) in connection with the carrying on of any business, trade, profession or calling; or (b) in connection with the activities of any body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporate, the National Flag, the National Coat of Arms or the Coat of Arms of royalty as Head of the Commonwealth, or any flag or arms so closely resembling that flag or either of those coat of arms that they might reasonably be taken to be that flag or coat of arms, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.”

Keyamo further argued that using the national symbol in this manner is also “reprehensible”, as it gives the impression that Abubakar is acting in an official capacity on behalf of the government.

He said, “It borders on impersonation. Imagine a situation where all former Government functionaries continue to use the Coat of Arms of Nigeria in their personal, political or private communications. There would certainly be confusion everywhere.”

As a lawyer and a member of the federal executive council (FEC), Keyamo said he is obligated to uphold the laws of the country.

 

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