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Tag: Kano Assembly

  • Alleged $5m bribe: Kano Assembly probe panel to appear before court

    THE committee probing Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for alleged bribery is to appear in court.

    Baffa Babba Dan Agundi is the Chairman of House of Assembly Investigative Committee on the allegation by publisher of an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, Mr. Jaafar Jaafar.

    Agundi and the committee members will appear before  the High Court on November 12 on a suit filed against them.

    A pro-democracy group, Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, last Monday, sued the committee and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    It prayed the court to prevail on them to stop the investigation.

    Addressing reporters at the Assembly complex, Agundi said: “We are here today to give the position of the Kano State House of Assembly and the committee investigating alleged bribe taking by the governor of Kano State.

    “One, we have received a court process filed by some lawyers, who named themselves Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria.

    “Secondly, we are going to put in our appearance before the court on Monday to respect the rule of law, to respect the Kano State High Court of Justice and, particularly, the court that gave this order to Kano State House of Assembly.

    “It is important to note that the court did not stop the committee from doing its work. The court only pronounced that the status quo be maintained.

    “You can translate it to your own understanding. There is no order that specifically said ‘stop work.’ So, I think the committee can continue with its work and we are putting our appearance by Monday, as I said earlier.

    “It is also important to understand that the Constitution is very clear. Sections 128 and 129 empower Kano State House of Assembly to embark on any kind of investigation that it deems appropriate when something like this arises.

    “So, I think we are working within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we are working within the rules of Kano State House of Assembly.

    “So, we will respect the court by putting our appearance on Monday and the committee will continue with its work.”

     

     

  • $5m bribery: Kano Assembly investigative committee to appear before court

    Hon. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, chairman of Kano state House of Assembly Investigative Committee on the alleged bribery allegation by Mr. Jaafar Jaafar, publisher of an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, against Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Tuesday said himself and the Committee members will appear before a Kano High Court on Monday, November 12, in respect to a suit filed against them.

    The Nation reports that a pro-democracy group, Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, had last Monday dragged the Committee and the state Attorney-General to Court, praying that they stop the investigation of the bribery allegation.

    Addressing Reporters at the Assembly Complex, Dan Agundi said: “We are here today to give the position of the Kano state House of Assembly and the Committee investigating alleged bribery taking by His Excellency, the Governor of Kano state.

    “One, we have received a Court process filed by some lawyers who named themselves Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria.

    “Secondly, we are going to put in our appearance before the Court on Monday to respect the Rule of Law, to respect the Kano state High Court of Justice and particularly, the Court that gave this Order to Kano state House of Assembly.

    “It is important to note that the Court did not stop the Committee from doing its work, the Court only pronounced that the status quo be maintained.

    “You can translate it to your own understanding, there is no Order that specifically said ‘stop work.’ So, I think the Committee can continue with its work and we are putting our appearance by Monday I said earlier.

    “It is also important to understand that the Constitution is very clear. Section 128 and 129 empowers Kano state House of Assembly to embark on any kind of investigation that it deems appropriate when something like this arises.

    “So, I think we are working within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we are working within the rules of Kano state House of Assembly.

    “So, we will respect the Court by putting our appearance on Monday and the Committee will continue with its work.”

    It could be recalled that a Kano High Court sitting in Kano ordered the Kano state House of Assembly to stop the investigation of bribery allegation levelled against Governor Ganduje.

    In Suit No. K/497/2018 instituted by Bar. Muhammad Zubair, National Coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria against the Kano state House of Assembly, Hon. Baffa Babba Dab Agundi and other members of the seven-man Investigative Committee and Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Kano state, the presiding Judge, Justice A.T. Badamasi issued an Interim Injunction, restraining the Kano state House of Assembly Seven-man Investigative Committee from further investigation of the said bribery allegation.

    According to the  Judge, “upon carefully run through the Ex-parte application dated 5th day of November, 2018 filed by Counsel for the plaintiff/applicant accompanied by a 23 paragraphs affidavit duly deposed to by Muhammad Zubair, a legal practitioner as well as the written address in support of Application thereto:

    “And after hearing Mr. Nuraini Jimoh Esq. (with him A.N.Ahmad Esq) Counsel for the applicant. The application is hereby granted in the following manner:

    “The Respondents should be served before the close of work today (5 November). Accelerated hearing is hereby ordered and the respondents are given four days to respond to this application after service.

    “Parties should maintain status quo ante pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice.”

  • Kano Assembly invites Ganduje over video clips

    The investigative committee set up by the Kano State House of Assembly to probe the authenticity of video clips showing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly receiving bribe, has summoned the governor to appear before it today.

    The Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published the controversial video clip.

    The Secretary of the seven-man ad hoc Committee, Mr Mujtafah Adamu, stated this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, the state capital.

    He said the committee invited the governor via a letter on October 31.

    “The letter, which was signed by the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi, and issued to the governor, is requesting his appearance and to hear the matter from his own perspective,” Adamu said.

    A copy of the letter, according to Adamu, is asking the governor for his statement as part of the proceedings on or before the day of the hearing.

    The letter reads: “You may wish to appear together with your lawyers for the hearing. Enclosed is the copy of the video clips for your perusal.”

    NAN recalled that the publisher of Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, Jafar Jafar, who, on October 25, appeared before the committee, insisted that the published video clips were genuine and not a doctored document.

    During the public hearing, the publisher admitted his failure to contact government officials on the genuineness or otherwise of the video clips before releasing them in the media.

    Jafar added that he received the clips from a top government official, whose identity he refused to disclose.

  • Kano Assembly invites Ganduje over video clips

    The investigative committee set up by the Kano State House of Assembly to probe the authenticity of video clips showing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly receiving bribe, has summoned the governor to appear before it today.

    The Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published the controversial video clip.

    The Secretary of the seven-man ad hoc Committee, Mr Mujtafah Adamu, stated this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, the state capital.

    He said the committee invited the governor via a letter on October 31.

    “The letter, which was signed by the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi, and issued to the governor, is requesting his appearance and to hear the matter from his own perspective,” Adamu said.

    A copy of the letter, according to Adamu, is asking the governor for his statement as part of the proceedings on or before the day of the hearing.

    The letter reads: “You may wish to appear together with your lawyers for the hearing. Enclosed is the copy of the video clips for your perusal.”

    NAN recalled that the publisher of Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, Jafar Jafar, who, on October 25, appeared before the committee, insisted that the published video clips were genuine and not a doctored document.

    During the public hearing, the publisher admitted his failure to contact government officials on the genuineness or otherwise of the video clips before releasing them in the media.

    Jafar added that he received the clips from a top government official, whose identity he refused to disclose.

     

     

  • Kano Assembly to screen Gawuna for deputy governor

    The Kano State House of Assembly will, today, screen Commissioner for Agriculture, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, for the deputy governor’s post.

    The position became vacant following Hafiz Abubakar’s resignation on August 9.

    Gawuna, a former council chairman, and one-time president of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, was chosen from about four contenders.

    Speaker of the House of Assembly Kabiru Rurum said at yesterday’s plenary that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s letter was in line with Section 191 (3) (C) of 1999 Constitution.

    The letter reads: “… in accordance with Section 191 (3) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby nominate Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna for confirmation as deputy governor.

    “The nominee is currently the commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources and member of the State Executive Council. In view of the above, it is my hope that this exercise will receive the kind consideration of House.

    “Please accept my assurances and highest regard always.”

    The house has invited Gawuna to appear today at 10 a.m for screening.

  • Six Kano Assembly members defect from APC

    Six members of the KwanKwasiyya group , at the Kano state House of Assembly on Wednesday defected from APC to PDP.

    The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum while reading the defection letter of the members at plenary today, revealed that, the members said it became necessary for them to leave their previous party based on the premise that the party has failed to meet the aspiration and yearnings of the people they represent.

    Read Also: Kano Assembly Speaker removed

    The defectors are from six local government that include Yusuf Babangida Suliaman representing Gwale, Rabiu Saleh from Gwarzo, Zubairu Mahmud from Madobi, Yusuf Abdullahi Falgore from Rogo, Hamza Sule Bichi from Bichi and Isiaku Ali Danja from Gezaw

    The Nation reports that the PDP members are presently seven in the house out of forty members.

    However, it was on Wednesday that the erstwhile deputy governor Prof Hafiz Abubakar and ten former aides of the governor also defected to PDP

  • Kano Assembly ‘loyal to Ganduje’

    The Kano State House of Assembly has restated its support and loyalty to the All Progressives Conference (APC).

    The Speaker, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, who dispelled rumours of defection by some party members, said 33 of the 40 lawmakers remain loyal to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He reiterated that six lawmakers, who are staunch followers of Kwankwaso, and one PDP member, who clinched the mandate through court judgment, are still with them.

    Ata noted that among the six APC supporters of Kwankwaso, negotiation have reached an advanced stage to join the Ganduje supporters.

  • We are still with APC – Kano lawmakers

    Members of the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday reiterated their unflinching support and loyalty to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The Speaker of the House, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, stated this while dispelling rumour of defection of some APC members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the Assembly has 40 members from the 44 local government areas in the state and 33 of those members are loyal to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said six members who are staunch followers of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as well as one PDP member who clinched the mandate through the Supreme Court judgement “are still with us.”

     

     

  • Kano Assembly sealed over impeachment saga

    The Kano State House of Assembly has been sealed following moves to impeach the Speaker, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, it was learnt yesterday.

    Sources close to the House said as at last night, 21 lawmakers had signed the impeachment notice.

    It was also confirmed the principal officers had been impeached, having got the required 21 signatures.

    “The principal officers have already been impeached. All we need now is only six members to meet the required 2/3 majority to impeach the Speaker,” he said.

    On why lawmakers resolved to impeach the House leaders, he said: “The reasons are many but the major one is incompetency. The Speaker has virtually localised the house.

    “We cannot sit until after 2 pm, and even at that, things are not moving as expected. We cannot continue like that because we are representing our constituencies.”

    But Ata noted that as a Muslim, who believes in destiny, he will accept his impeachment in good faith.

    According to him, the attempt to impeach him has nothing to do with competence as alleged.

    He said: “There is always a starting and ending point for anything. If Allah has designed it that my time is up, nobody will extend it by a second. And if it is not time, nobody can remove me from office; that is my belief.

    “My happiness is that I didn’t steal anybody’s money. So, if today I am impeached, I will leave but nobody will accuse me of stealing. I have a constituency that I represent.”

    However, policemen have laid siege to the Assembly complex, with both exit and entrances locked.

    The move to seal the Assembly, according to sources, is possibly to avert the impeachment, as members have been forced to proceed on one month recess.

    Police spokesman Magaji Majiya, who confirmed the development, said policemen were deployed in the Assembly complex to forestall a breach of peace.

    “We need peace in the state so we won’t allow anybody to tamper with the prevailing peace and harmony,” he said.

    But a statement by the Assembly’s Director of Press, Ali Kudu, said: “The Kano State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has adjourned plenary from May 14 till June 2018.

    “This is to allow members prepare for Ramadan and Id il-Fitr.”

    Ata succeeded former Speaker Kabiru Rurum, who resigned last June following alleged corruption.

  • Police seal off Kano Assembly over impeachment plot

    The Kano State House of Assembly was on Monday sealed off by police following moves to impeach the Speaker of the House, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, by some lawmakers.

    However, sources close to the House, told our correspondent that as at Sunday’s night, 21 lawmakers have indicated their support for the speaker’s impeachment.

    It was gathered that principal officers of the House had been impeached after 21 lawmakers voted for their impeachment.

    The source said: “The principal officers have already been impeached following the approval by 21 lawmakers who signed the dotted lines. All what we need now is only six members to meet the requirement of 2/3 majority to impeach the speaker without delay.

    “The reasons behind the reason to impeach the speaker are many but the major one is incompetency. The speaker has virtually localised the House.

    “We cannot sit until after 2:00 p.m. and even at that things are not moving as expected. We cannot just continue like that because we are representing our constituencies.”

    However, the speaker has said he would accept his impeachment in good faith.

    Ata told journalists the attempt by some members of the House to impeach him has nothing to do with competence as alleged.

    He said: “In anything there is starting and ending point. If Allah Has designed it that my time is off, nobody will extend it by a second. And if it is not time, nobody can remove me from office. That is my belief.”