Supporters Throng Kaduna For Former Emir Of Kano, Sanusi

A group during a visit by former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, at Government House Kaduna on Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’ on Sunday. Pic by Shehu K. Goro

Thousands of supporters on Sunday thronged major roads in Kaduna to welcome the deposed emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi to Kaduna state.

There was gridlock at major roads including Kawo, Ali Akilu road and Ahmadu Bellow Way as youths in vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles blasted Hausa signature music that praised Sanusi and escorted his motorcade around Kaduna city.

A private jet arrived the Air Training Command headquarters in Kaduna at 10:30am on Sunday.

Journalists as well as some traditional title holders from Kano state gathered at the Airforce command around 9:30 am but many were denied access to the base.

A group during a visit by former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, at Government House Kaduna on Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’ on Sunday. Pic by Shehu K. Goro

Former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Lamido arrived Government House Kaduna to visit Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i on Sunday, Photo by Shehu K. Goro

A group during a visit by former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, at Government House Kaduna on Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’ on Sunday. Pic by Shehu K. Goro

Former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Lamido arrived Government House Kaduna to visit Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i on Sunday, Photo by Shehu K. Goro

A group during a visit by former Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, at Government House Kaduna on Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’ on Sunday. Pic by Shehu K. Goro

He was accompanied by his wives and other aides, and received by top government officials in the state before his entourage move to the state government house.

Sanusi is in Kaduna to meet with his supporters, some of whom arrived from Kano State and will also meet with his long-time friend and governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai.

Sanusi was enthroned as the 14th emir of Kano as Muhammadu Sanusi II on June 8 2014 following the death of emir Ado Bayero.

He was however deposed by the Kano state Governor, Abduallahi Ganduje, on March 9 2020 for allegedly showing ‘insubordination’ to authorities.

Sanusi was then banished to Loko in Nasarawa state before he was allowed to proceed to Awe in the same state where he spent three days before a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered him to be released from detention.

Few hours after his dethronement, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai had appointed him as Chancellor, Kaduna state University (KASU) and Vice Chairman of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA).

El-Rufai was among the first callers of the former CBN Governor while on exile in Awe. The governor had travelled to Awe on March 13, 2020 and after Juma’at Prayers, returned with Sanusi to Abuja where the former emir boarded a plane to Lagos.

Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of Sanusi’s predecessor, Ado Bayero who ruled Kano for more than half a century was chosen as emir to replace Sanusi

Shekau Faults Kano Death Sentencing, Says Kano is the Land of Infidels.

The embattled leader of Jama’atu Ahlussunnah Lid Da’awati Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has released 11 minutes audio in which he faulted the death sentencing of a man accused of blasphemy in Kano State.

Yahaya Sherif Aminu was sentenced to death by hanging in Kano State for insulting Prophet Muhammad in a song he shared on WhatsApp in March.

“We heard about something sad happening in the state where people think they are Muslims, even though they are practicing disbelief,” Shekau stated.

“A singer opened his mouth and uttered unkind words against the Prophet (PBUH). It was said he was arrested and sentenced to death by hanging.

“According to some people, he can appeal the judgement. But what brought this if the sentence is godly?”

Shekau was saying this because an upper Shari’a court judge who sentenced the singer, Alkali Aliyu Muhammad Kani, said the accused could appeal the verdict within 30 days even though he did not deny the charges.

Shekau claimed that everyone knows that all schools of Islamic jurisprudence opine that whoever insults the Prophet should not be asked to repent.

“He should just be killed. If you really sentenced him, we should only hear that you slaughtered him,” he said.

Shekau added that Kano is not an Islamic State, calling it a land of infidels where democracy is practiced.

“You are not in an Islamic State. You are in the land of infidels. The only exception among you is a weak person who holds ‘Tawhid’ (monotheism). He can’t be declared as an infidel, but he is a sinner because he didn’t migrate.”

The western lifestyle of Kano people itself, according to Abubakar Shekau, is an insult to the Prophet Muhammad.

“Before he insulted the Prophet (PBUH), your lifestyle is an insult itself. Your lifestyle is also blasphemy against the Prophet. How can you say you love someone and you slap him?”

In the audio, Shekau blasted the Kano State for practicing democracy. He said the state allows everyone to do what they like.

Referring to the people of Kano, Shekau said “just because you sit down and recite Quran after you have already done what made you unbelievers? And because you say there is no god but Allah, you think you are Muslims? We tell you, you and the one who insulted the Prophet are all the same.”

This is not the first time a death sentence was passed in Kano State. Abdulaziz Inyass who belong to the extremists in the Tijaniyya Sufi Order is still in detention after he was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2016.

Abdulaziz was accused of saying that Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, an influential cleric in West Africa, was ‘bigger than Prophet Muhammad.’

Kano: Petrol marketers sell fuel at N150 per litre

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Kano has directed its members to sell fuel at N150 per litre.

The directive was contained in a statement issued and signed by the IPMAN chairman, Kano chapter, Bashir Danmalam.

According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the new price modulation announced by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), which announced the new pump price.

The statement added that the directive was also in compliance with the government’s earlier statement that it would review upward-downward price of the commodity on monthly basis depending on the price at international market.

“This is in compliance to PPMC’s memo signed by its Manager Sales, Mohammed Bello, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 which fixed the depot price of premium motor spirit, known as petrol, at N138. 62 per litre,” it stated.

The statement further revealed that the private depots have also increased their price as they would sell the commodity to their members at N139. 5 per litre.

It also asked all members under the Kano State chapter of IPMAN to comply with the new price regime by making sure no one sells above the approved ceiling of N150 per litre.

Eid-el-Kabir: FG praises Kano for cancelling Sallah festivities

The Federal Government has praised Kano and other states that have announced ban on Sallah festivities as part of measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The government urged Nigerians to continue to observe the COVID-19 health protocols ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 52nd joint national briefing of the taskforce.

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According to him, there is the need to advise Nigerians on the upcoming Eid-El Kabir festival.

“This naturally comes with lots of mass gatherings but we must not forget that the guidelines are still in existence and the virus is very potent.

“We urge all State Governments to ensure that guidelines are adhered to and citizens should not indulge in activities that would allow for the spread of the virus and lives are endangered,” Mustapha said.

He said that the Federal Government is encouraged by state governments that have announced ban on Sallah festivities and hope it would be upheld and replicated by other states.

The Kano State Government recently cancelled all traditional Sallah festivities to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir in the state.

The government said the decision was part of its effort to consolidate on the successes achieved in the fight against COVID-9 and the relaxation of lockdown in many states of the federation, including Kano.

The state’s Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a briefing with journalists on Wednesday, said the decision was taken at the State Executive Council’s meeting held on Tuesday.

He said, while permission was granted for the conduct of Eid congregational prayers across the state, such would be under strict observance of safety protocols, which are also to be supervised by government officials.

Garba added that all the five Emirs in the state would go to the Eid Prayer Ground in their respective domains in motor vehicle, while there would be no visit to Shettima House, gathering for Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa and other traditional outings in the Emirates.

He added that government would assist in the provision of safety materials that included face masks and hand sanitizers as well as ensure strict observance of social distancing at the praying grounds.

Court orders arrest of Kano council chairman over alleged diversion of Coronavirus palliatives

A bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Ado-Panshekara, Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Council has been issued by a Magistrates’ Court in Kano.

The bench warrant was issued after the council chairman failed to appear before the court to answer to charges of criminal breach of trust. Ado-Panshekara who was entrusted with 1,632 forms for the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives, was accused of diverting and giving it out to people it was not meant.

Prosecution counsel, Salisu Tahir who accused the council chairman of contravening section 315 of the Penal Code Law and section 26 of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law 2008 (as amended), averred that Kabiru Ado-Panshekara was properly served a court summon to appear on May 13 at about 9:00 a.m.

Ado-Panshekara’s counsel, Ibrahim Adamu told the court that he doesn’t know his client’s whereabout as he appealed to the magistrate to stand the matter down for 30 minutes.

The case was subsequently pushed till May 27 for mention.