Local

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.”

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, and Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed– Binani, the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, have one similarity associated with their tickets- both are being challenged in the court of law.

Ambassador Mohammed Jameel Waziri is challenging his illegal exclusion from the May 22nd, 2022, Adamawa PDP Gubernatorial Primary Election, while Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is challenging Binani’s victory in the APC’s May 26th, 2022, Gubernatorial Primary Election, because of the alleged over-voting.

Senator Binani won the APC Gubernatorial Primary Election with 430 votes, Nuhu Ribadu came second with 288 votes, former governor Bindow got 103 votes, Abdul Razak Namdas scored 94 votes while Wafari and Mustapha got 21 and 39 votes respectively.

The Fintiri-Binani game promises to be interesting, just as it appears to be a zero-sum one. It will be the first time a woman will be a big force to reckon with in the governorship race in Adamawa state. And, from all indications, Binani’s candidacy has altered many political calculations, including sending shivers down the Fintiri-Team’s spine- Finitiri has been forced to pick a woman as his deputy so as to face Binani’s threatening challenge.

Binani is coming to the race with many advantages over Fintiri, while Fintiri is coming into the race with few advantages over Binani, plus a lot of political baggage, that Binani will use to her own advantage.

While Fintiri heavily relies on 2 fulcrums- incumbency and war chest, Binani will rely on 5 fulcrums- sustained local empowerment, the ‘center’, smart political calculations, and enormous and clever application of war chest, including the very strategic youth and women grassroots support.

The women folk will for sure stand for her- for instance, during the APC gubernatorial primary election- Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani came to the race with assured votes in her ‘handbag’- women constitute nearly 40% of the delegates. When Binani entered the voting arena, the entire women among the delegates welcomed her with a melodous nasal sounds (Guɗa). That was a big signal to her opponents that she was ready for the game.

Another Fintiri’s weak point that Binani will capitalize on is his poor relationship with many PDP stakeholders- Binani will easily negotiate with them to get their ‘covert’ support. During the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections, Binani was able to get votes from PDP supporters in the central zone – she smartly negotiated her way- she even secured more votes than Buhari!

Binani always plays the ‘Mintzberg Political Games’- Building her influence and political structure through attaching herself to those who can help her in the future- the masses. The strategy is that- the lower-down people’s support will pressurize the higher-up people to give her the needed support when the time comes.

In a nutshell – Fintiri will heavily rely on the very important incumbency and massive war chest, while Binani will deploy her unprecedented strong grassroots support from women and youths, enough war chest, and capitalize on Fintiri’s errors and mistakes.

Notwithstanding the court cases associated with both candidates’ tickets- if elections were to be conducted today, Binani will beat Fintiri.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, is a Public Affairs analyst and he writes from Jimeta

By Uzair Adam Imam

Unknown shooters have stormed Abuja Community, Tekpeshe-Gurdi, and abducted five persons on their way back from neighbouring community.

The Daily Reality recalls how bandits roamed the community two weeks ago where they killed one person and kidnapped others.

It was gathered that more than five million naira was paid before the victims were released last Friday.

The bandits were said to have flooded the community wielding sophisticated weapons. They also snatched six motorcycles in the process.

Wozhe Ishaya, the incumbent councillor representing Gurdi ward, confirmed the traumatic development to journalists.

He said, bandits blocked the road at Tekpeshe-Gurdi, where the residents were abducted.

“Actually, the victims went to Tekpeshe community to sympathise with some abducted victims that were set free by bandits, while on their way going back Gurdi, they ran into the bandits,

“In fact, even as I am talking to you right now, some villagers of Dadin Kowa have started leaving their village because of that incident,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 21-year-old man, Chukwudi, has reportedly killed his two parents for refusing to give him some money in Nnewi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Chukwudi, who is an undergraduate student of one university in Anambra State, is the only son to his parents.

The victims were identified as Mr. and Mrs Micheal Ulor. However, there corpses had started decomposing when they were discovered on Thursday.

Chukwudi killed his parents at their residence at Mr. Moses Nnodu’s compound, Abubor Nnewichi-Nnewi, close to Orie Agbo Market.

It was gathered that Chukwudi fled to unknown destination since he killed his two parents.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirm the incident to journalists.

Tochukwu said all efforts to trace the suspect’s whereabouts were on top gear.

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

The Kaduna State Government on Friday, 23rd September, 2022 apologized for the hardship being faced by motorists and passengers due to construction works of the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway by Julius Berger.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, conveyed this in a statement made available to The Daily Reality (TDR) in Kaduna.

According to him, “Citizens plying the route over the last few days have experienced severe hardship and discomfort due to the gridlock, which is deeply regretted.”

“The Kaduna State Government is in discussions with Julius Berger PLC, and other relevant agencies, over ensuring that obstructions are promptly cleared and the gridlock is eased for normal movement of traffic as soon as possible,” he said.

Commuters on the ever-busy Kaduna-Abuja Expressway fumed on Friday as they wasted hours in the gridlock occasioned by the repair works on the road. They called on government to review the pace at which Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is executing the construction works on the expressway. The commuters, who are mostly public and private sector workers, and businessmen, berated the company as they spent over forty eight hours trying to manoeuvre the gridlock.

By Uzair Adam Imam

At least 20 surrendered Boko Haram fighters have died as a result of cholera outbreak that stormed Borno State.

A source told journalists in Borno that health workers with the support of Non-Governmental Organisations and the World Health Organisation are trying to control the fatalities.

He said, “At least 20 Boko Haram surrenders have died as a result of cholera outbreak in Hajj and four others died in Bama camp. 

“Also, three reportedly died in the Muna Garage IDP camp. Nearly 1,000 cases have been reported so far, and hundreds are currently receiving treatments in various health centres,” he added.

However, in what appeared to have contradicted the earlier statement, a top ministry of health staff, said the figures were incorrect.

The staff who pleaded for anonymity told journalists that only 11 repentant Boko Haram insurgents and three others in the Muna Garage IDP camp were killed by cholera, not 20 people.

He stated that, “the ministry and its partners are on top of the situation.”

The Daily Reality gathered there are about 12,000 Boko Haram fighters that have laid down their arms and surrendered to the troops of the Nigerian Army in Borno State.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Medical equipment worth N200 million was donoted to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, by one of the school’s alumni.

The alumnus identified as Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi, is a UK-based clinical scientist and lecturer at a university in London.

Ogunfemi stated that the donation was part of his efforts to give back to his alma mater.

He added that the medical instrument would allow students to gain practical knowledge in addition to theoretical aspects taught in class.

Ogunfemi was quoted to have said, “There are about 10 equipment and each is within the worth £ 23, 000. The other four set, is £20, 000, and the last set is about £15, 000. Like I said, I didn’t pay for any of them. I collected them from the hospital where I work.

“Twelve microscopes for malaria parasites; they can use it to detect if you have short blood; they can use it to test anemia, food poison, diabetes, low sugar etc.

“There is one for the detection of early cancer; there are also microscopes – for detection of microorganisms and microbes; there are instrument to check people with staphylococcus among others.

“All those instrument belong to them. They are in the range of N150 million to N200 million. I didn’t pay for it but, I used about N1.5 million to ship it.”

Ogunfemi was commended by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic,  Dr  Veronica Ogbuagu, and the Rector, Dr Olusegun Aluko.

They disclosed that the donation was received during the council meeting to serve as honour to the donor.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Peoples Democratic Party in Zamfara State has accepted the rule by a Federal High Court and fixed Friday for a rerun of gubernatorial primary in the state.

The Daily Reality reported the train of crisis in the party that led the court to nullify the party’s governorship primary that produced Alh. Dauda Lawal Dare as a winner.

The court cited flagrant violation of party’s constitutional provisions and guidelines as reasons of invalidating the election, consequently, ruled the election be reruned.

Alhaji Ahmad Sani Kaura, the state chairman of the party, stated that preparations were on top gear for the peaceful conduct of the primary election in the state.

He said, “The Peoples Democratic Party is a law- abiding entity and we are complying with the court order to conduct a fresh primary election. The contestants remain the same, Alhaji Dauda Lawal Dare, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Wadatau Madawaki and Hafiz Nahuche.

“The national headquarters of our party has scheduled the rerun to hold on Friday, 23rd September, 2022. Officials from the headquarters are coming to Gusau to conduct a peaceful and acceptable election.

“As I’m talking to you, congresses are being held in wards to ensure gender compliance because part of what court said was that women were excluded from the delegate list. We are including them now,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A man diligently taking care of a house meant for Muslim converts in Gwale LGA, Kano State, has opened up on the tough times the people are going through.

Malam Hassan Tela described to The Daily Reality how the Kano State Government had abandoned the house located at Hauren Wanki, Gwale LGA, without food and basic necessities for over 11 years amidst the biting economic hardship in Nigeria.

Hassan Tela said that the forsaken converts are now under the care of a few individuals who shoulder their responsibilities since the government had turned its back on them.

He stated that the house is under the Kano State Shari’ah Commission, founded by the former governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, in his first tenure in 2004.

The Daily Reality gathered that during the Shekarau administration, the converts were well taken care of and had their foodstuffs provided every month, including soaps and detergents to wash their clothes.

The end of Shekarau’s tenure throws converts into a dilemma

However, the end of Shekarau’s term opened the door of hardship and hunger for these abandoned converts for over a decade, leaving them stranded and, sometimes, starved.

Tela said, “During Shekarau administration, the governor provided foodstuffs such as rice, beans, maize, yam and other items to the converts, including the pocket money.

“The government also sponsored the children to continue their studies from primary to tertiary institutions. Books, shoes, bags, and uniforms were also provided for them. Life then was smooth. I also had my N15,000 allowance every month.”

However, when Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was elected as Kano state governor in 2011, he stopped the feeding and the allowance. Likewise, Governor Ganduje, whose administration has marked its 7th year.

Our reporters gathered that despite all the pleas by Tela and his Da’awa preaching colleagues, the government turned a deaf ear to the plight of the converts and those taking care of them. This development has forced many of the converts to drop out of school.

‘We sell our preaching bus to feed converts’ – Tela

“Because we cannot keep human beings without food, and the converts numbering thirty-seven, we had to sell our bus we used to go for preaching to sustain this activity.

“Some people that came to our rescue purchased a tricycle (Adaidaita Sahu) for us. After spending some years and the machine was old enough to work, because it broke down almost every day and we didn’t save anything because we used the money for our daily shopping, we had to sell it too to buy foodstuffs.

“In those days, when goods and services were cheap, N2500 was enough for me to do all the shopping, but now, I spend N5000, and we are still managing.

“But Alhamdulillah, the founding fathers of Hanan and Abu Hanifa schools, including the current deputy governor of Kano State and a few others, have lent us their helping hands.”

It’s difficult for us – converts

Some of the converts that spoke to The Daily Reality have voiced a passionate plea to the government to come to their aid.

A convert, Aisha Hassan, pleaded with the government to come to their aid, saying, “Sometimes we would wake up, and we have no money to shop.”

A convert, Ummu-Salma Musa, said, “Some of us are in school, but we don’t have reading materials such as books and bags, and we also need some clothes to wear.”

Another convert who identified herself as Hafsat, and has completed her diploma programme, said, “We really face many challenges including lack of soaps, detergents, slippers and sandals for our younger ones going to primary and secondary schools. We also hope to further our education.”

Aisha Danjuma said, “We also need to learn some skills as some of us are not going to school.”

When contacted, the Director Public Enlightenment of Kano State Shari’ah Commission, Malam Aminu Musa, said he could not comment on the allegations.

He said, “I know of the issue. But as of now, honestly speaking, I cannot say anything about it. In addition, there have been changes and appointments in the commission, and I am one of those appointed that assumed duty on Monday.”