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Tag: kano state

  • Court grants interim forfeiture order on N1.1bn allegedly diverted from Kano state’s account

    Court grants interim forfeiture order on N1.1bn allegedly diverted from Kano state’s account

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the temporary forfeiture of N1,109,230,000.00 allegedly moved illegally out of the Kano State Federation Account domiciled with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

    Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and moved by its lawyer, Oluwafunke Bada.

    Justice Nwite was of the view that the request was meritorious and should be granted.

    The judge also ordered that the forfeiture order be published in any national daily for any person interested in the money to appear before the court and show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Justice Nwite then adjourned the matter till January 21, 2026, for the report of compliance.

    The ICPC stated in an affidavit filed along with the motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2634/2025, that the N1,109,230,000.00 was currently domiciled in the ICPC Recovery Account.

    The ICPC stated that the money was recovered in the course of investigating a petition numbered: ICPC/P/NC/564/2024 by the ICPC and that the funds were reasonably suspected to have been proceeds of unlawful activities.

    It claimed to have received a petition dated August 19, 2024, from some concerned citizens of Kano State, who alleged that two billion, three hundred million naira (2,300,000,000.00) had been withdrawn from the Kano State Federation Account: 1026282580 domiciled with UBA in cash and used for purposes not related to government business.

    The commission added that in the course of investigation, its operatives discovered that on November 9, 2023, the Accountant-General (AG) of Kano State, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, authorised the payment of N1.1 billion to two Bureau de Change (BDC) companies.

    It identified the BDC companies as Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd and Kazo Nazo Global Concept.

    The commission said it was discovered that Abdulsalam submitted two letters of authority to the Government House of Kano State, signed by the Managing Directors of two oil companies – A. Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd – instructing the Kano State Government to make the following payments for the supply of diesel to the state government.

    It said the two letters (which it attached to the motion) “requested from the Kano State Government, payment of N539 million to Kazo Nazo Global Concept and three payments of N570 million, N48 million, and N14.9 million to Namu Na Kune Global Resources.

    “The commission invited Yamta Audu and Ahmad Bello Hamza, the Managing Directors of A. Y. Maikifi Oil & Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd., respectively, for inquiries into the said letters of authority and supplies of oil products to the state government.

     “The two managing directors stated to the ICPC that they signed the letters of authority at the request of the Accountant General of Kano State, who informed them that the state government needed their assistance to release funds required to address certain financial needs of the state.

    “In their written statements to the ICPC, the two managing directors stated that the contracts mentioned in both letters of authority do not exist.

    “No supplies of diesel or alum were ever made by their companies to the Kano State Government.

    “Investigation revealed that after A.Y. Maikifi Oiland Gas Ltd and Ammas Petroleum Company Ltd signed the undated letters of authority which were received at the Office of the Commissioner of Water Resources on the 7th of November, 2023, the Kano State Government paid the sum N585,000,000.00 each on the 9th of October, 2023 to Kazo Nazo Global Concept and Namu Na Kune Global Resources Ltd, a total of N1,170,000,000.00.”

    The ICPC claimed that the two managing directors allegedly converted the total sum of N1,170,000,000.00 paid by the Kano State Government into one million U.S. dollars ($1,000,000.00) and handed it to one Ghali Muhammad Dahiru, in cash, for delivery to Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, the Director of Protocol of Government House, Kano State.

    It added, “Gali Muhammad Dahiru handed over the said $1,000,000.00 cash to Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo as directed by Nasiru Adamu at the Kano State Liaison Office in Asokoro, Abuja.

    “Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo admitted collecting the money in his statement to the ICPC dated 9th of September, 2025.”

    The ICPC said it was able to recover from the two companies a total of N1,109,230,000.00 out of the N1,170,000,000.00 allegedly moved illegally from the Kano State Federation Account.

    It said the N1,109,230,000.00 was paid in two instalments, each of N570,000,000 and N539,230,000 on February 27 and March 21.

  • Kano/Jigawa Customs seizes 20 diverted containers worth N769.5 million

    Kano/Jigawa Customs seizes 20 diverted containers worth N769.5 million

    The Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 20 diverted transit containers valued at over N769.5 million, as it stepped up a nationwide campaign against cargo diversion and other trade infractions.

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, paraded the seizures at the Customs House of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.

    Among the seized items were containers of ceramic and vitrified tiles, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, printed and lace fabrics, medical consumables, and Zamzam branded bottled water, some of which are prohibited under the Common External Tariff.

    One suspect, Abdulrahman Sani Adam, has been convicted by the Federal High Court in Kano for container diversion and sentenced to three years imprisonment, with an option of a N3 million fine.

    Adeniyi said the operation was part of a coordinated national strategy to protect government revenue, secure trade routes and promote legitimate commerce.

    He disclosed that the containers were duly cleared from Nigeria’s seaports for movement to inland bonded terminals and Free Trade Zones but were unlawfully diverted to private warehouses and markets, in clear violation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

    He disclosed that the seizures, recorded between the second and fourth quarters of 2025, comprised assorted goods such as ceramic and vitrified tiles, diesel engine oil, polyester materials, used clothing, printed and lace fabrics, medical consumables, and prohibited bottled water imports, with a combined Duty Paid Value of N769,533,666.

    While the interceptions occurred within the Kano and Jigawa axis, the Comptroller-General stressed that the operation reflects a nationwide enforcement push aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s trade corridors linking seaports, inland dry ports and Free Trade Zones across the country.

    Describing cargo diversion as a grave economic offence, Adeniyi warned that the practice leads to revenue losses, encourages smuggling, undermines fair competition and damages Nigeria’s reputation in the global trading system.

    The Customs boss explained that seven containers loaded with ceramic tiles valued at over N228 million were unlawfully diverted from the Kano Free Trade Zone and intercepted along the Hadejia Road corridor.

    To further tighten control nationwide, the Customs boss said the Service is in the advanced stages of deploying a comprehensive electronic cargo tracking system across all transit corridors, bonded terminals and Free Trade Zones.

    “The electric tracking system, already validated and accepted by the service in some Southern states, is ready for nationwide deployment across the operational terminals, with proven real-time cargo monitoring and early detection of route deviations,” he said.

    Adeniyi cautioned importers, shipping agents and freight forwarders against engaging in or facilitating cargo diversion, noting that violators would face prosecution, forfeiture of goods and loss of trading privileges.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to supporting the Federal Government’s trade facilitation and non-oil revenue drive, while urging stakeholders and members of the public to assist the Service by reporting suspicious trade activities.

  • Governor Yusuf rejects report claiming Kano has highest insecurity level

    Governor Yusuf rejects report claiming Kano has highest insecurity level

    The Kano State government has dismissed a report alleging that the state recorded the highest level of insecurity in Nigeria.

    Governor Abba Yusuf, speaking through the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described the publication as “false, misleading, and completely untrue.”

    Waiya made the clarification while addressing journalists after defending his ministry’s proposed 2026 budget before the Kano State House of Assembly.

    He said Kano has continued to make significant progress in maintaining peace and protecting lives and property.

    The commissioner urged journalists and media organisations to adhere to professional ethics by ensuring fairness, objectivity, and accuracy in reporting.

    Waiya also cautioned against allowing the media to be used to advance political interests, warning that irresponsible journalism can undermine public trust and escalate tensions.

    He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining security collaborations with law enforcement agencies, traditional institutions, and community leaders to ensure Kano remains one of the most peaceful states in the country.

  • Yusuf presents N1.3 trillion budget for 2026

    Yusuf presents N1.3 trillion budget for 2026

    The governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Wednesday presented to the State House of Assembly an appropriation bill of N1,368,127,929,271 for the fiscal year 2026.

    During the presentation, Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing legacy projects and deepening inclusive development across the state.

    The budget has 68% capital expenditure, amounting to N934.6 billion, and 32% recurrent expenditure, totaling N433.4 billion.

    The 2026 budget is the highest capital-to-recurrent ratio in Kano’s history, the governor said.

    Education has the lion’s share of N405.3 billion (30%), followed by Infrastructure at N346.2 billion (25%) and Health at N212.2 billion (16%), reflecting the top priorities.

    “These allocations demonstrate our unwavering determination to invest heavily in human capital development, safeguard the well-being of our people, and lay the physical foundation for sustainable growth.

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    “The economic and social sectors remain central to our 2026 fiscal plan, with Agriculture, Security, Commerce, Water, Environment, Tourism, Women and Youth Development, and People with Special Needs also receiving substantial provisions,” the governor stated.

    Yusuf pledged to align his administration’s priorities with citizens’ aspirations.

    He emphasised that the budget is “a bold but realistic roadmap, designed to secure a resilient and prosperous Kano.”

    Yusuf urged the House of Assembly members to grant the bill accelerated passage, stressing that their oversight and partnership remain critical to transforming the budget into tangible projects and services for the people.

    The Speaker of the State Assembly, Jibril Falgore, said the lawmakers would scrutinise the budget carefully before passing it.

  • Kano APC chieftain begs Akpabio, Barau over $10m bribery allegation

    Kano APC chieftain begs Akpabio, Barau over $10m bribery allegation

    A Kano-based chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mal. Alwan Hassan has apologised to the leadership of the Senate for wrongfully accusing them of receiving $10 million to stall the confirmation of Ramat Abdullahi as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    He particularly apologised to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, admitting that the allegation against them and the leadership of the upper chamber of the National Assembly was “not only untrue but also unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership.”

    Last month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent a letter to the Senate seeking Ramat’s confirmation as NERC’s chairman, but after over a month since the letter was read and deliberated upon at plenary, the Senate is yet to announce the confirmation of the nominee.

    The development led to a group of party loyalists from Kano State staging a protest at the National Assembly, while several individuals demanded immediate confirmation of Ramat.

    Hassan, who joined others to protest the delay, accused the Senate leadership of deliberately stalling the confirmation.

    Tendering an unreserved apology at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Hassan said his earlier action was propelled by the information available to him at that time, adding that he has since found out that the allegation lacked fact.

    According to him, “I referenced a claim alleging that they received $10 million in bribes to stall Engr. Ramat’s confirmation. That allegation came from conversations I had while trying to understand the issues.

    “I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership.

    “I therefore retract that statement fully and unreservedly, and I apologise to the National Assembly and its leadership for those accusations.

    Read Also: NERC appointment: Kano APC chairman  appeals for restraint among members

    “I understand the seriousness of governance, particularly the critical role the parliament plays in our democracy,” he added.

    The APC leader then appealed to the Senate to confirm Ramat for the job as requested by President Tinubu.

    “I understand the seriousness of governance, particularly the critical role the parliament plays in our democracy. I do not take that role for granted. And it is precisely because of that respect that I once again, like Oliver Twist, appeal—humbly and sincerely—to the good conscience of our distinguished National Assembly to please take a second look at the case of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi and confirm him.

    “I genuinely believe he is a worthy leader who can help transform the regulation of Nigeria’s energy sector,” he concluded.

  • ​Kano hails Lagos transport reforms as model for modern mobility

    ​Kano hails Lagos transport reforms as model for modern mobility

    The Kano State Government has commended Lagos for what it describes as an outstanding transformation of its transport sector during an official study tour undertaken by senior officials of the Kano State Transport Authority in Lagos.

    Kano Commissioner for Transportation, Haruna Isa Dederi, who led the delegation, said the visit is a strategic step in the state’s plan to build a modern and efficient transport system inspired by Lagos reforms. He explained that the tour follows a directive from Governor Abba Yusuf who recently set up a committee to reposition the Kano State Transport Authority.

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    Dederi noted that Lagos stands as a model for organised urban mobility on the continent, with visible progress in institutional restructuring, infrastructure renewal, technology driven operations and public private partnerships. He highlighted the Lagos BRT corridors, the work of Traffic Radio, inland waterways operations, rail integration and the LAMATA transport master plan as benchmarks widely referenced across Africa.

    Receiving the delegation, the Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olawale Musa, assured the team of full support as they undertake their reforms. He said Lagos achievements are the product of long term planning and sustained investment, adding that no economy can grow without a functional and predictable transport system.

    Musa said both states face similar pressures arising from large and fast growing populations which demand continuous upgrades in public infrastructure. He pledged the commitment of the Lagos State Government to collaborate with Kano in areas that can strengthen mobility, improve planning and support service delivery.

  • First Lady donates ₦110m to families of deceased Kano athletes

    First Lady donates ₦110m to families of deceased Kano athletes

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦110 million to support the families of 22 Kano athletes who tragically lost their lives in a road accident earlier this year.

    According to a statement released Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, each bereaved family received ₦5 million through the First Lady’s intervention under the Victim Support Fund. The fund aims to alleviate the burden of loss and aid in recovery.

    “In a matching gesture of empathy and leadership, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, also provided an additional ₦130 million, with each of the 10 injured athletes receiving ₦2 million and a plot of land, while the families of the deceased get an additional ₦5 million each,” Tofa stated.

    This is in addition to an earlier ₦22 million support package from the Kano State Government, which had given ₦1 million to each bereaved family and ₦500,000 to the injured shortly after the incident.

    Governor Yusuf expressed heartfelt appreciation to the First Lady, calling her intervention “a clear demonstration of compassion, leadership, and shared humanity.” He noted that her support had significantly complemented the state’s efforts to stand with the victims’ families during their time of grief.

    Other notable contributions include ₦32 million from the Ogun State Government, ₦20 million from the Jigawa State Government, and ₦2.2 million from Engr. Sagir Koki.

    Altogether, financial assistance to the victims and their families has reached ₦321.2 million, alongside 30 bags of rice and land allocations.

    The funds were disbursed immediately by the Kano State Accountant General during a special distribution ceremony.

    Read Also: First Lady mourns media Icon, Doyin Abiola

    As a lasting tribute, Governor Yusuf announced the renaming of the Kano Sports Institute in Karfi to the “Kano 22 Athletes Institute.”

    To ensure fairness in line with Islamic principles, Sharia courts have been assigned to oversee the disbursement of ₦6,709,375 to each of the 22 families as part of the first tranche of support.

    Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Alhaji Baffa Indabawa, chairman of the victims’ relatives, expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady and the Kano State Government, describing the response as “a deeply consoling and dignified response” to their shared tragedy.

    The athletes lost their lives in a fatal accident on Saturday, May 31, 2025, near Gadar Yankifi along the Kaduna-Kano expressway while returning from the 2024 National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.

  • FG presents certificates to Kano’s 26LGAs declared open defecation free

    FG presents certificates to Kano’s 26LGAs declared open defecation free

    The Federal Government has presented certificates to 26 out of the 44 local government areas of Kano State declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, presented the certificates at the Coronation Hall of Government House Kano, during a courtesy call to the governor.

    Prof. Utsev, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, said in the current ranking, Kano has secured a space among the top-performing states in the country.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s First Lady hosts African counterparts

    “On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, I extend our deep appreciation to Your Excellency for the unwavering support and commitment to water, sanitation and hygiene improvements in Kano State.

    “Our gathering today is taking place on the heels of the North-West Zonal Review Meeting of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, which Kano State is graciously hosting.

    “Your Excellency’s leadership and commitment to achieving the national sanitation goals explain why we are doing more of a celebration than advocacy at this occasion.

  • Tragedy: Explosion at metal scrap firm claims 5 lives in Kano

    Tragedy: Explosion at metal scrap firm claims 5 lives in Kano

    Five persons were confirmed dead while 10 others sustained injuries following an explosion that occurred at a metal scrap company located along the Eastern Bypass in Kano in the early hours of Saturday.

    The tragedy at the ill-fated firm was reportedly caused by a truck conveying scraps to the premises.

    The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Bakori, confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Kano.

    He said the truck involved in the explosion originated from Yobe, but added that further details about the vehicle were still unclear as investigation was ongoing.

    Bakori said the injured victims were rushed to a medical facility where five of them were confirmed dead, while 10 others were currently receiving treatment.

    He said it was yet to be ascertained if any security personnel was among the casualties, stating that further investigation would reveal more details.

    Read Also: EU, German Cooperation launch energy efficiency networks in Kano

    “The police are working to identify the cause of the explosion and determine the extent of the damage.

    “The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available,” he said.

    The commissioner assured the public that the command would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

    He called on the residents to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies in their efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

    (NAN)

  • Kano’s avoidable crash

    Kano’s avoidable crash

    Govt must probe the circumstances that led to the death of 22 National Sports Festival members

    It was an avoidable accident. We are talking about the gruesome loss of 22 members of Kano State contingent to the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival in an auto crash about 40 kilometers to their journey back home after the festival, on May 31. The victims included athletes, coaches, officials and medical personnel. Nine people were injured in the accident; only one person escaped without an injury.

    The state won a total of 29 medals at the event.

    It was one accident too many.

    If any of the victims had any inclination that they would never have made it back home alive, they probably would not have embarked on the journey.

    The National Sports Festival is organised to promote unity, youth engagement and national development through sports.

    This year’s edition of the festival took place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, from May 18 to May 30. The team was returning to Kano the next day, when the vehicle they were travelling in reportedly veered off the road and overturned around Dakatsalle in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State.

    The state government declared May 2 as a day of mourning and gave each of the victims’ families N1million, as well as some foodstuffs.

    As Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), noted in a statement, the accident marked “a very sad day for Nigerian sports”.

    “We are heartbroken by this tragedy. “These were promising athletes and dedicated officials who had just served their state and country with pride. Their loss is immeasurable.”

    The loss is indeed immeasurable.

     Unfortunately, as usual with such incidents, measures are only now being contemplated to forestall a recurrence of such disasters, after the Kano tragedy.

    But whatever has been said about the Kano incident is not peculiar to Kano. We are just narrowing it down to the state because it produced the latest victims of such avoidable crashes.

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    This is why we welcome the decision of the NSC, the organiser of the festival, to streamline safety protocols for all national sporting events. There is the need for a national policy on travel and welfare, which all participating states must subscribe to, as against the extant practice whereby such decisions are left to the discretion of the participating entities.

    For instance, we do not know why contingents from a far-away state like Kano, a distance of over 1,000 kilometers, should have travelled by road to the event.

    The commission has also said that henceforth, comprehensive insurance cover would be mandatory for the contingents, and that their vehicles would be certified roadworthy, etc.

    However, we want the NSC to understand that it is not enough to roll out precautionary measures, enforcement is key.

    It is also important we stress that some other measures required are beyond the sports commission. Here, we refer to many roads in the country that are in deplorable condition. The federal and state governments must work out maintenance plans for these roads to make them motorable. Furthermore, it is not enough to construct roads, there should be pullover facilities, among others, where travellers on long distances could unwind at intervals, to avoid fatigue, especially by drivers.

    Moreover, there should be more alternatives to road travel. Perhaps the accident that claimed the lives of the Kano athletes would have been averted if they had the option to travel by rail. This is why we welcome the announcement by the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Kayode Opeifa, that the Federal Government would soon unveil a plan to interconnect several parts of the country.

    All said, we still look forward to a detailed investigation of what happened so as to help in charting the way forward. Such an inquiry is necessary because, if thorough, it would help in pinpointing what really happened. Mercifully, some of the team members survived the crash. Their testimonies would go a long way in ascertaining what really led to the unfortunate accident.

    We can only hope this would be the last of such avoidable incidents.