News

Kano Guber: I Feel Extremely Happy, Says Gov Yusuf After S’Court Victory

Published

4 months ago

January 12, 2024

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State said he feels extremely happy after the Supreme Court verdict reinstating him as governor.

Governor Yusuf, in an interview after the Supreme Court verdict on Friday, said, “I feel extremely happy, as you can see, so many people are happy and cheering. So, I feel happy.”

He added, “I am extremely happy with the judgment of the Supreme Court that took place today, January 12, 2024.

“The Supreme Court has confirmed that there was no illegality as far as the election is concerned.

“They were saying illegal ballot papers, INEC had confirmed that the ballot papers belonged to them, they were issued by them and the Supreme Court justices have just confirmed that also, that there was no illegality and the people are aware.

“I feel justified, I feel that, that issue has been set aside because there was no justifications whatsoever.”

Governor Yusuf, while thanking the people of the state, said, “For my good people, the first thing is to say a big thank you to everybody for all the support, the prayers they have been rendering for the last seven months of my administration.

“Not only Kano State people but the entire good people of Nigeria as well as other good people across the globe. So, I just want to say a big thank you to everybody.”

Recall that Governor Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party challenged the decision of the lower courts which nullified his election and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election.

News

EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court

Published

7 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.

Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.

In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.

He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.

Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.

Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.

Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.

The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.

Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.

He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.