Kano

By Uzair Adam

A Kano State High Court has reserved ruling in the case involving former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who is facing an eight-count charge of alleged bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds running into billions of naira.

The charges were filed by the Kano State Government against Ganduje and seven others, including his wife, Hafsat Umar.

Others listed in the suit are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the court entertained several applications from counsels representing the defendants.

Counsel to Ganduje and his wife, Offiong Offiong, SAN, sought an extension of time and filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

He also submitted a 28-paragraph affidavit, a written address, and a reply on point of law dated April 4, 2025.

Responding, state counsel Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the objections, describing them as lacking merit.

His response, dated October 22, 2024, was supported by a seven-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address filed on December 13, 2024, along with attached exhibits.

Other defence counsels, including Mr Adekunle Taiye-Falola (3rd and 7th defendants), Mr Sunusi Musa, SAN (5th defendant), Mr Ashafa Yusuf (6th respondent), and Mr Faruk Asekone (8th defendant), filed separate preliminary objections supported by affidavits, written addresses, and further affidavits in response to the prosecution’s submissions.

All urged the court to grant their respective applications.

Presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, granted the application for an extension of time and adjourned the matter for ruling on the preliminary objections.

A new date will be communicated to the parties.

By Uzair Adam

The police in Niger State have confirmed the death of two individuals following the collapse of a mining pit in the Farin-Doki area of Shiroro Local Government.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, told journalists in Minna on Monday that the tragic incident occurred on Sunday night, trapping two miners later identified as Buhari Kano and Mallam Tasiu, both natives of Kano State.

He explained that officers from the Erena Division, alongside local residents, rushed to the scene and began rescue efforts.

However, the victims were eventually found dead and their remains were taken to the Zumba hospital for further examination.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the miners were operating illegally at the site at the time of the collapse.

Abiodun stated that a full investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a striking example of how far young people are willing to go for online fame, a TikTok content creator known as Kabeer 2Pack has taken social media by storm with bizarre, often repulsive stunts—drawing the attention not only of millions of followers but also of serious academic inquiry.

Kabeer, dubbed the “April 2025 sensation,” has garnered over 5.2 million likes and 618,300 followers on TikTok by performing antics such as bathing himself in filthy gutter water and covering himself in dust and charcoal. His goal, he insists, is not madness but “glory”: “Ba hauka ba ne, ɗaukaka na ke nema,” he says—“I’m not mad, I seek glory.”

While his popularity soars—one of his videos reached 30.3 million views—critics question why such extreme behaviour overshadows respected Islamic scholars like Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, whose most viewed video stands at 2.4 million. In comparison, controversial influencer Murja Ibrahim Kunya boasts 3.1 million followers and 59.4 million likes.

Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu of Bayero University, Kano, argues that these influencers, despite their antics, are crucial subjects for academic study. “Influencers, trenders, even sickos and weirdos are all part of the data to harvest in order to fully understand contemporary society,” he wrote in a recent commentary.

According to Adamu, the phenomenon reflects what scholars now term the “Attention Economy,” where digital content, no matter how outrageous, is exchanged for social capital, influence, and often money. He compares this with global TikTok stars like Khaby Lame, who silently mocks life hacks and has amassed over 162 million followers—earning $20 million in 2024 alone.

“Even the most ridiculous trends can be read as resistance, escapism, or social commentary,” Adamu notes, urging researchers to see past the surface and explore the deeper meanings behind online behaviour.

In a digital age where clout is currency, young people like Kabeer 2Pack are not just chasing fame—they’re reshaping the culture, one like at a time.

By Uzair Adam

More than twenty medical personnel of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) who had direct contact with a Lassa fever patient have all tested negative for the disease.

Others who were screened through contact tracing also returned negative results, except for the patient’s husband who tested positive.

The update was made known by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Professor Muhammad Abba Suwaid, in a statement issued by the Chief Information Officer, Maryam Aminu Usman, on Saturday.

Prof. Suwaid said the affected staff were immediately isolated and had their blood samples taken for testing.

The results, he confirmed, indicated that none of them contracted the virus.

He attributed the outcome to the diligence and professionalism of AKTH staff in handling patients.

It was gathered that the hospital’s management acted swiftly after a confirmed case of Lassa fever involving a 22-year-old pregnant woman, who was admitted to the facility on April 5, 2025.

Prof. Suwaid said precautionary measures were taken to prevent further spread of the disease within the hospital and the surrounding community.

Meanwhile, the hospital management promptly alerted the Kano State Epidemiology Unit, which has been conducting contact tracing in Garum Malam Local Government Area, where the patient was brought from.

The patient’s husband, who tested positive for Lassa fever, is currently receiving treatment under the care of the Kano State Epidemiology Unit.

By Anwar Usman

The Governor of Edo State Monday Okpebhlo, on Monday said he would contact his Kano State counterpart, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to decide the financial compensation for the families of the hunters who were killed by members of a vigilance group in Uromi.

The governor, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Fred Itrua, on Friday, said an agreement would be reached by the governments of the two states, adding that such agreement would be made public.

Receiving the delegation on Thursday, Okpebholo disclosed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the state government, had also set up a fact-finding committee to look into the circumstances surrounding the recent killings.

Okpebholo said President Bola Tinubu was sad over the happening in Uromi, adding that he (Tinubu) was determined to ensure the state and nation were safe for everybody to live and do business.

He further stated that, “I can’t say what the financial compensation will be. The Kano State Government delegation arrived in Benin on Thursday and submitted a report that only the Edo State governor has seen.

“What I think will happen is that the governor will contact the Kano State governor on what financial compensation would go to the family of the deceased. What is clear is that an agreement will be reached, and it will be made public.”

He said the recommendations of the Kano State Government would be looked into, adding that Governor Yusuf would be contacted on the next line of action.

By Uzair Adam

Two women have died after reportedly drowning in a pond in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi.

Abdullahi explained that the service received a distress call around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday from a local vigilance group, reporting that two women had drowned.

According to the statement, relatives of the deceased told the vigilance group that the victims were workers at a hibiscus (Zobo) processing company and had gone to the pond after closing from work.

“Our rescue team was immediately dispatched to the scene, and we successfully recovered the corpses from the pond,” the statement said.

The remains of the victims were later handed over to Musa Garba, a police constable at the Gezawa Police Division.

The Fire Service urged residents to avoid open water bodies to prevent similar tragedies.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced makeup artist Abdullahi Musa Huseini (a.k.a Amuscap) to six months in prison for abusing the Naira.

Justice S.M Shuaibu convicted Huseini after he pleaded guilty to spraying and mutilating N100,000 at his wedding celebration. The offence violates Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

Prosecution counsel Zarami Mohammed presented evidence showing Huseini defaced the currency at Ali Jita Event Centre despite warnings against the practice.

The judge ruled against an option of fine, ordering immediate imprisonment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Huseini following intelligence reports on his actions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has hosted a sensitisation forum aimed at improving trade practices and ensuring better compliance at the Kano Free Trade Zone (KFTZ).

The one-day programme, which took place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, brought together key stakeholders operating within the zone.

This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe.

While addressing participants, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, stated the benefits of cooperation and adherence to trade guidelines.

He encouraged those in attendance to share their concerns, expressing hope that the forum would lead to improved collaboration and a reduction in operational obstacles.

During the event, Superintendent of Customs Muideen Alabi presented a paper titled “Roles of Nigeria Customs Service in Free Trade Zones.”

He discussed provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, outlined standard operating procedures, and explained the processes for exporting goods from free trade zones to customs territories.

He also drew attention to frequent documentation errors that tend to slow down trade activities.

Deputy Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Richard Bassey, addressed lingering misconceptions surrounding the regulatory responsibilities of NEPZA.

“There’s been confusion about who does what in the zone. Today, we’ve cleared the air,” he said.

The event ended with an interactive session where stakeholders exchanged views directly with customs officials.

In his closing remarks, Comptroller Abubakar called for continuous dialogue and reassured participants of the Command’s commitment to supporting smooth trade operations.

By Anas Abbas

Abbas Sunusi, the Galadiman Kano and father of the Kano State APC chairman, has passed away at 92.

Abbas Sanusi,was born in 1933 in Bichi, Kano State, Abbas Sunusi served as Wamban Kano before being turbaned as Galadiman Kano by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in 2014.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to publicly parade the perpetrators behind the killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State.

Yusuf made the demand when Okpebholo led a delegation to Kano to condole with the families of the victims, most of whom were from Kano.

He described the attack as brutal, noting that many were “maimed, burnt, and murdered in cold blood.”

While commending Edo’s swift response and the arrest of 14 suspects, Yusuf insisted that justice must be seen to be done.

“We appeal that the perpetrators be paraded publicly so the world sees those behind this heinous crime,” he said.

Okpebholo assured that the suspects were being transferred to Abuja for further investigation, adding that President Bola Tinubu had ordered a thorough probe.

He emphasized that the attack did not represent Edo’s values and pledged to uphold harmony between communities.

Both governors condemned reprisal actions, calling for unity and stronger security measures to prevent future violence.