Local

By Habibu Maaruf Abdu

The maiden edition of the Kano International Film Festival was held from 28th to 30th September 2022 in Kano, the iconic epicentre of Northern Nigeria’s Kannywood film industry. The festival, organised by Classical Film Modern Academy, is billed to hold annually to promote the film industry and build its personnel’s capacity. The Kannywood filmmakers have fully participated in the festival, which came a few months after their collective boycott against a similar event, the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF 2022).

Themed ‘Content Connectivity’, the festival received over 50 films from 15 countries. Among its 20 official selections are Harsh Living (UK), Wade in the water (US), The Irish Barn Dance (Ireland), Cemetery Hunt (Brazil), Everything collapses (Italy), I am a chance (Belgium), and Love trap (Cameroon).It also featured paper presentations, panel discussions, a masterclass, a film screening, and Award Ceremony.

The three-day occasion kicked off on Wednesday, 28th September 2022, with paper presentations and round table discussions at the Grand Central Hotel in Kano city. The first paper on  ‘Film regulation’  was presented by the zonal director of the National Film Censorship Board, Mr Umar Fagge. It was followed by papers on  ‘VFX technology’ and  ‘English subtitle’ by Mal. Inuwa Tofa and Kabiru Musa Jammaje, respectively.

The second day of the festival saw its founder, Captain Musa Gambo, leading a masterclass at the Classical Film Modern Academy in the morning before the event later moved to Platinum Cinema to screen the Kannywood films nominated for awards in different categories. The films include Murjani (Dir. Sadiq N. Mafia, 2018), Sadauki (Dir. Hassan Giggs, 2019), Bana Bakwai (Dir. Ali Nuhu, 2020), Tsakaninmu and Sarki Goma Zamani Goma (both Dir. by Ali Nuhu in 2021), and more.

The historic film festival ended Friday, 30th September 2022, with an award ceremony at the Grand Central Hotel. The award event, hosted by Jamilu Yakasai, recorded a massive turnout of actors, directors, and producers, alongside dignitaries such as the SSA to the Kano state Governor on Kannywood affairs, Mal. Khalid Musa, and the industry’s pioneer trade analyst, Mr Usman Jibril (Solo). However, superstars like Ali Nuhu, Adam Zango, and Maryam Yahaya, who are also part of the award winners, were absent from the ceremony.

On the other hand, Kannywood’s highly respected elder, Alhaji Ibrahim Mandawari, whose name was alleged to be unjustly removed from the recipients of the ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ in this year’s edition of the Zuma Film Festival, has received the same ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ at the event.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Best Actor: Adam a Zango for Sadauki

Best Actress: Maryam Yahaya for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Supporting Actor: Alhassan Kwalle for Sadauki

Best Supporting Actress: Aisha Najamu for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Director: Ali Nuhu for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Life Time Achievement Award: Ibrahim Mandawari

Best Film: Sarki Goma Zamani Goma (Abubakar Bashir Mai-Shadda)

Best Series: Izzar So (Lawan Ahmad)

Best Screenplay: Yakubu M. Kumo for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Cinematograhy: Murtala Balala for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Production Design: Mairo Abdullahi for Sadauki

Best lighting: Usman Usee for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Sound: Shamsu Glo/Sani Candy for Sarki Goma Zamani Goma

Best Editor: Mailafiya Abdullahi

By Aisar Fagge

Ten school drop-out youths sponsored by Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation completed training on Thursday at the Centre for Technology Development, Kaduna State Polytechnic.

The graduated youths undergo eight weeks of training and four weeks of internship in automobile repairs.

The foundation also presented the youths with starter kits by the Director and Finance Manager, Sulaiman Umar Jalo and Maimuna Abdulrahman.

However, the youths would also undergo a one-month internship to acquire more practical skills in automobile repairs.

The foundation said this would provide an enabling environment to further explore opportunities/partnerships to support them secure admission and acquiring National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) certificate.

The Daily Reality gathered that the sum of 1200000 was paid by the foundation to train the youth on automobile repairs.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) has started a legal duel with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to allow the party to replace Senator Ibrahim Shekarau for Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections.

NNPP wanted to replace Shekarau with the former senator, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, after his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) some months ago.

Shekarau defected and joined PDP citing irreconciliable differences with the party’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his reasons.

On it’s part, INEC argued that Shekarau has not officially informed the electoral body about his defection to PDP reiterating that it can not replace his name with another person.

In an interview with journalists on Wednesday, the NNPP presidential candidate Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said: “We have conducted (fresh) primary election where we elected Rufa’i Sani Hanga, as a replacement and if INEC can do justice to us, based on the constitution, the time for the replacement of candidates is not yet over.

“We have taken the matter to court because INEC did not understand the process. The court will make them understand it.”

Kwankwaso, who wondered why INEC refused to replace Shekarau’s name with their new candidate, asked “would INEC announce Shekarau as the legally elected representative for the district if NNPP wins the senatorial seat?”

Muhammad Sabi’u

Two persons narrowly escaped death after a truck crashed into a submerged road in the Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Monday, 3rd October, 2022.

This was contained in a statement obtained by journalists from CSC Adamu Shehu, the NSCDC’s spokesperson for the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.

According to him, the incident occurred when a truck with the license plate XP361EPE lost direction while crossing the section of the Sara-Gantsa road that was underwater and was filled with metal pieces.

He noted that, as soon as the NSCDC authorities received the report, they sped to the spot and were successful in saving the victims.

According to reports, the NSCDC had issued a warning to truck and long vehicle drivers asking them not to travel on the state’s waterlogged roadways.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mamman Lawan, has described government’s interference in court’s decisions as one of the major challenges facing judges in Nigeria.

Prof. Mamman Lawan  stated this Tuesday, 4th October, 2022 during a one-day seminar organized by Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, in collaboration with  Bn Baaz, Kariya and Naseeha Foundations.

The seminar held at Islamic Forum of Nigeria Hall, Farm Center, Kano, was themed: “Justice as a Panacea to Insecurity in Northern Nigeria.”

He decried how big office holders and politicians stick their noses into the courts’ decisions, thereby making it difficult for judges to do justice in their decisions.

Lawan stated: “Politicians used to interfere with the courts decisions and spend millions of naira in the cases they have interest in.

“Therefore, judges and lawyers need to know that it is ethically wrong to collect bribe and do injustice. Without justice, there would be no society and there would be chaos and insecurity.”

Govt needs to increase allowance for judges, lawyers to tackle corruption

Corruption roams our courts today and affect their decisions. The reason was believed to be unconnected with poor salary and allowances by the government.

One of the Judges confidentially told the TDR reporter after the event that the monthly salary of judges is between N100,000 and 180,000 and N125,000 as furniture allowance after every four years.

Lawan said that there is a need for government to increase allowance for the Nigerian judges and lawyers to tackle corruption in the courts.

He added, “Government does not provide our judges and lawyers with enough allowances to halt corruption in our courts.

“This will help stop the judges from taking bribe from any politician,” he suggested.

Lawyers contribute to injustice in Nigeria

Also speaking, the Kano State High Court Judge, Justice Saminu Nasiru, blamed Nigerian lawyers for contributing to injustice in court decisions.

He said, “For this reason, it has become necessary for lawyers and judges to fear God and to remember meeting with their lord in the day of judgment.”

By Uzair Adam Imam and Muhammad Sabi’u

A Chief Medical Director of Kaiama General Hospital, Dr. Adio Adebowale, was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend and one other lady in Kwara State.

A statement issued and signed by the state police command PRO, Ajayi Okasanmi, disclosed this on Sunday in Ilorin.

The suspect was arrested in Edo and had confessed the killing of his girlfriend, Ifeoluwa, who declared missing in Table area of Ilorin in 2021.

”The investigation led the team to Kaiama general hospital where the suspect worked as the Chief Medical Director.

“The suspect’s office was forced opened and a decomposing corpse of an unidentified female body was found buried in a shallow grave,” the spokesperson said.

Further search to his office led to the discovery of another decomposing corpse of missing Nafisat Halidu in a trash can.

“Based on the commissioner’s directive, investigation into the case began and that the Police worked on an information based on the arrest of one Dr Adio Adebowale in Edo,” the statement added.

By
Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq
1st October, 2022

The Personal Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Hussaini Ɗankantoma, has kicked off what he described as house to house campaign for the presidential, gubernatorial and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.

Speaking shortly after meeting the Kaduna State APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Uba Sani, Ɗankantoma noted that the Kaduna State is very strategic for the realisation of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

He further noted that the landmark achievements of the APC’s led administration in the country will boast Tinubu’s chances of winning the election. On the other hand, Ɗankantoma expressed optimism that Senator Uba Sani would address all the challenges confronting the Kaduna State and revamp all the critical sectors in the state.

He further called on leaders of the party in the state to close ranks and work harmoniously for the victory of the APC’s presidential candidate in 2023.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A lady who looked to be in her early 20s was found stoned to death at the famous Eleven-Eleven junction in Calabar.

The incident is believed to have occurred early on Friday. A few stones were found next to her at the roundabout, and there were some visible wounds all over her remains.

Despite sympathizers having gathered around her motionless body in an attempt to identify her, the identity could still not be established.

At around 8 a.m., a pickup vehicle with some police officers arrived on the scene, preparing to evacuate the body.

As of the time of filing this report, The Daily Reality source has not been able to get information indicating that the police in Cross River State have reacted to the incident.

Eleven-eleven roundabout is next to The Millennium Park, where the military and the State government stage significant parades and celebrations.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A renowned Kano lawyer, activist, commentator and philanthropist, Barrister Sunusi Musa was among the 62 lawyers elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The LPPC, in a statement signed by its secretary and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hajo Bello, disclosed this on Thursday, September 29 2022. Hajo also disclosed that the new SANs would be officially conferred with the rank on November 21, 2022.

The title of SAN is the equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is conferred on persons qualified to practice as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and who have distinguished themselves in the practice of law.

Over the years, the rules governing the conferment have been amended to accommodate law teachers and scholars who have contributed immensely to the teaching and learning of the law. Federal and state prosecutors who have excelled in the practice of law within the dictates of their engagement are also now considered for the SAN title.

The LPPC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, also have members like the Attorney General of the Federation and distinguished heads of courts and reputable senior advocates as its members.

The basic requirements for a lawyer to be elevated to the inner bar include:

1: Good Character and calm temperament;

2: Must be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria for not less than ten years;

3: Must have appearances at the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and other courts of record;

4: A good law office and law library are considered in the case of lawyers in private practice, amongst other things.

Few privileges are also enjoyed by SANs to the exclusion of other lawyers. These include:

1: Sitting at the inner bar or front roll and being given the opportunity of mentioning their cases before junior counsel;

2: Must appear with a junior counsel in a civil case;

3: Appear in a distinct robe on certain legal occasions;

4: The title also attracts more legal fees and professional patronage from clients and members of the public.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, who is on trial for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), claims that his attorney, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, received N2 million as bribe to influence the Upper Shari’a court judge presiding over the case.

During the resumption of the meeting, the defense counsel, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, who was represented by Mr. Muhammad Lawan, pleaded with the court to permit the defendant to adopt his final written remarks on his own behalf.

In adopting his last written arguments, dated and submitted on September 20, the defendant asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Kano State Government against him and direct the state to issue an apology to him.

“I urge the court to adopt the written addresses as my argument in this case and evidence, my audio preachings.”

Kabara continued to claim that the attorney chosen by the court to represent him had amassed N2 million to bribe the judge, stating the attorney had come to the prison and informed him that the judge had instructed him to do so in order to release and exonerate the defendant.

“My lawyer told me he gave the judge N1.3 million, another person N200,000 and he himself took N500,000.”

In his final written arguments, Mamman Lawan-Yusufari SAN, the prosecution’s attorney, pleaded with the court to find the defendant guilty in accordance with the law and accept their arguments as evidence against him in a document dated and filed on September 22.

The defense presented one witness and offered 24 books and a memory card as proof, while the prosecution rested its case on the testimony of four witnesses.

Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, the preeminent judge, refuted the claim that he accepted a bribe.

He stated that both parties would later be informed of the judgment date.

After the court session, Shehu Usman spoke to reporters and refuted the claim that he had accepted the sum of N2 million as a bribe.

Shehu added, “I am not surprised, my client had also made some allegations against his other three sets of lawyers before.”