El-Rufai vs Ashiru: What happened in court on Monday

POLITICS

El-Rufai vs Ashiru: What happened in court on Monday

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday presented 17 witnesses out of the 685 it lined up as it opened its case against the declaration of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai as winner of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Kaduna State.

The PDP and its Governorship candidate in the poll, Alhaji Isah Ashiru are asking the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to nullify the election of El-Rufai and declare its candidate the winner, having scored the majority of valid votes cast during the election.

The petitioners, who joined INEC, APC and El-Rufai in the case, alleged that the poll was characterised by massive rigging, ballot box stuffing and violence in 110 wards in 12 local government areas of the state.

The LGAs all of which the PDP lost to the APC as declared by INEC, include Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Ikara, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kubau, Kudan, Lere, Sabon Gari, Soba and Zaria.

The party said it had assembled 685 witnesses, mostly party agents and returning officers it assigned during the poll.

The PDP, at the resumed hearing on Monday, submitted names of 17 persons as first batch of witnesses who began testifying before the tribunal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 684 PDP witnesses are expected to testify before the tribunal within 14 days.

Earlier, the Ibrahim Bako-led Tribunal had admitted in evidence various documents presented by the petitioners.

Elisha Kurah (SAN), Counsel to the petitioners, had presented certified true copies (CTC) of forms from polling units, ward collation centres, and local government collation Centres obtained from INEC.

Kurah also submitted INEC documents allegedly used to declare the winner of the March 9 election to the tribunal.

He told newsmen that the forms allegedly contained discrepancies that would be proved before the tribunal.

Kurah said: “the forms we tendered, were forms that INEC used during the election.

”Some of the forms were not signed by the agents, some were not stamped and, you find handwriting of one person on all the forms. I mean one person wrote everything in those forms we have presented.

“The Tribunal has accepted all the documents we presented and addmitted same in evidence.

“There are lots of differences between those INEC forms we presented to the Tribunal and that of the PDP agents,” he said.

The Counsel said: ” the witnesses have been assembled to speak on the forms and the lack of genuineness of the forms we collected from INEC.”

According to him, the witnesses would present genuine copies of the documents as they testify.

NAN reports that the witnesses are appearing based on the documents the Tribunal had earlier admitted.

Dr Musa Aliyu, Counsel to INEC said the commission had raised objection to some of the documents and would submit details of their objections when it address the Tribunal.

“The witnesses are coming to testify what happened during the March 9 poll.”

Also, Ibrahim Bawa (SAN), Counsel to the APC said his clients would present their objections in the course of the proceedings.

Bawa said the APC would also bring its witnesses to the Tribunal to prove that the petitioners had no case.

The Tribunal has adjourned to Tuesday, June 18 to continue, after taking three witnesses from Zaria LG.

 

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Buhari, Tinubu, Oshiomhole will soon taste El-rufai’s venom – Shehu Sani

POLITICS

Buhari, Tinubu, Oshiomhole will soon taste El-rufai’s venom – Shehu Sani

 

Shehu Sani, a former Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of his state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Sani warned that Buhari would soon taste the venom of El-Rufai’s treachery.

In a post on his Facebook page, the former lawmaker stressed that the governor was known for betraying those who helped him ascend power when they are no longer important to him.

He wrote: “Your treacherous history of jumping from one godfather to another is well-known to all Nigerians.

“And I have always believed that it’s a matter of time before PMB will have a taste of your patented venom and perfidy once you reach a point that he is of no further importance to you.”

The former lawmaker disclosed that before he dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, he told Buhari, party National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; and National Leader, Bola Tinubu, that El-Rufai would attack them too, “when the time is right.”

“Before I left the APC, I told PMB and Oshiomhole and Tinubu that you will insult, betray and fight them. It is in your DNA.

“The liquor of power makes you think and act like a god, enjoy it while it lasts. It seems your mind is still troubled,” he added.

 

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Religious bill: Islamic scholar, Sheikh Maraya warns El-Rufai against licensing preachers in Kaduna

NEWS

Religious bill: Islamic scholar, Sheikh Maraya warns El-Rufai against licensing preachers in Kaduna

 

A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar and former Special Adviser to late governor Patrick Yakowa on Islamic Matters, Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya, has advised governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai not to assent to the religious bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

He noted that the bill in itself is a gross violation of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The state government had in 2016 argued that the religious bill was meant to regulate religious preaching in order to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence to topple religious freedom.

It provides for the establishment of an interfaith Regulatory Council at the state level and committee at the local government levels responsible for screening and issuing licence to preachers.

But, Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya observed that passing the religious bill by the State House of Assembly is not the yearning of the people of the state.

He stated, “What currently disturbs the good people of Kaduna State is insecurity particularly along Kaduna-Abuja highway, Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road and other parts of the state.

“The State House of Assembly should have promulgated a law with a view of dealing with potential kidnappers, bandits and other criminal tendencies that has become the order of the day in the state just like what the Katsina State House of Assembly did on kidnappers and other criminals.

“The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property and also deliver social responsibilities to its people as contained in section 14 (2b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Marsha stated that the religious bill contravenes section 1(3) of 1999 constitution as amended, saying that any law that contravenes the provision with the constitution should be considered void.

He added that section 38 (1) gives Nigerians the right to practice the religion of the choice, to change one religion to the other and to propagate their religion either in public or private.

He explained, “Any licence to be given before propagating one religion contravenes the 1999 constitution as amended. Any law that contravenes section 38(1) is inconsistent and should be considered void.”

Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Marsha asked, “Who are the issuance of the licence, it is said that it is a body of representatives of JNI and CAN. As a Muslim, the constitution does not said l should practice Islam under a body called JNI, section 40 of the 1999 constitution as amended has given all Nigerians the right to freedom of association. This clearly showcase that l can be a member of an association and l can also decline not to be a member.

“Then to say JNI is to issue me with a licence before l can exercise my constitutional right is a contravention of the 1999 constitution as amended.”

He explained that going by JNI and CAN, it means the government has given the two religious organizations preeminent positions over other groups, stressing that it is a clear discrimination against other groups, a transgression of section 42 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He observed, “One expect the State House of Assembly to outline things preachers are expected to do or are not expected to do. It should be made in such a way that any preacher who goes contrary to it should be sanctioned.

“For the State House of Assembly to pass a bill to make Christians and Muslims not to exercise their fundamental human rights until they are licenced is a violation of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.”

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Kajuru crisis: Christians, Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr together despite killings

NEWS

Kajuru crisis: Christians, Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr together despite killings

 

Despite incessant killings that led to the loss of lives and property in Adara chiefdom in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state, Christians and Muslims in the area celebrated Eid-el-fitr together in the spirit of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Adara people have of recent witnessed incessant killings by unknown gunmen resulting to the loss of lives and destruction of properties of unimaginable magnitude.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Peace and Reconciliation Committee in the area, Mr. Patrick Maigari said the coming together of both Christians and Muslims in the area was to strengthen their bonds of love and unity that unite them since time immemorial.

Mr. Patrick Maigari, a former House of Assembly member, Chairman of Kajuru local government area and former commissioner of health in the state said, “The event is part of activities to ensure peace and mutual understanding amongst ourselves and forge ahead as a people irrespective of any difference.”

Maigari congratulated the Muslims on the Eid-el-Fitr celebration and appealed to all ethnic and religious groups to support the committee in the actualization of peace and unity that eluded the people some times.

Muslims and Christians have held special Sallah celebrations to strengthen bonds and relationships in crisis-prone Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

He urged the people to submit all perceived wrongfull acts and complaints to the committee, stressing that it was the only way there would be better understanding with a view to attending to complaints.

Also speaking, a Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Alhaji Haruna Saeed Kajuru, expressed sadness over crisis in the area, stressing that it has tarnished the image of the area.

He advised the Peace and Reconciliation Committee to maintain the tempo and look for ways that would immediately resolve the lingering problems and bring lasting peace to the Kajuru people.

In his remarks, the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, commended organizers of the event and asked the people to return to their farms without fear of anything but enjoined the people to work together as a family and report any suspicious movement to the constituted authority.

Representatives of Jamatu Nasiru Islam, Christian Association of Nigeria, Hausa and Fulani and the Adara Community Development Associations commended the state authority for the release of elders detained as a result of the crisis.

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Graphic: Man selling his wares in traffic crushed to death by a trailer in Kaduna

NEWS

Graphic: Man selling his wares in traffic crushed to death by a trailer in Kaduna

 

A yet-to-be identified man who was selling his wares in traffic, was killed yesterday June 4th after a trailer crushed him to death.

According to eyewitnesses account, the trailer driver was in line with other cars waiting for the traffic light to turn green. Immediately it turned green, the trailer driver attempted to move but unknown to him, the man was right in front of his trailer attempting to sell his wares to someone else. The trailer crushed the man's head, spilling out his brain.

The body has since been evacuated from the road and deposited in a morgue.

See graphic photos from the scene below

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Why we went after Shi’ites, arrested IMN members in Kaduna – Police

NEWS

Why we went after Shi’ites, arrested IMN members in Kaduna – Police

 

The Nigeria Police Force, Kaduna State Command has given reason why it arrested Shi’ites followers in Kaduna Friday, saying that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites attacked its personnel in Kaduna on Friday.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna State Command, DSP Yakubu A. Sabo, made available to newsmen late Friday evening.

It reads, “Today at about 2:30pm some group of suspected members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were sighted staging a procession along the Central area of Kaduna Metropolis baring the official ban on procession by the Kaduna State Government.

“The Command mobilized Operatives to disperse the unlawful assembly. However, on sighting the Police, they (processionists) instantly became riotous and started pelting the security agents with Catapults using some sharp lethal iron bolts to attack our operatives.

” This gives the impression that, the procession was planned to be violent from the onset.

“The Police succeeded in dispersing the group and have arrested about a dozen who are now being investigated at the Command’s SCIID.

“We have maintained normalcy and will not allow any person or group of persons to take law into their hands.

” It should be noted that the Kaduna State laws have proscribed the organisation accordingly and it is the responsibility of Police as an enforcement agency to ensure compliance in accordance with the extant laws.

“The operation was successful. Update will follow accordingly please.”

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Gov. El-Rufai speaks on directing godfatherism comment towards Tinubu

POLITICS

Gov. El-Rufai speaks on directing godfatherism comment towards Tinubu

 

The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has said that the recent statement on godfatherism which he purportedly made against a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was taken out of contest.

According to the Governor, since he made the statement some persons have met him requesting for Tinubu to be dealt with.

El-Rufai insisted that his statement against godfatherism in Lagos was not directed at Tinubu.

We had reported that the Kaduna governor had spoken at a programme in Lagos where he condemned godfatherism which was widely interpreted as an attack against the former Lagos State Governor.

El-Rufai spoke on Friday when he received 121 members-elect of the House of Representatives who were on consultation tour of Northwest at the Government House chamber in Kaduna.

El-Rufai said, “That was not an attack on Asiwaju, it was a generic statement, but the whole thing took a media frenzy because to some people Asiwaju is a meal ticket.

“Let me tell you, because of that, some people started confessing to me that Asiwaju should be dealt with.

“They said ‘Asiwaju wants to finish you, he has been abusing you, we should finish him by finishing his man, Femi Gbajabiamila’.”

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Kidnappers of ECWA pastor, 14 others want N30m – CAN

CRIME NEWS

Kidnappers of ECWA pastor, 14 others want N30m – CAN

 

The Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, on Monday said the abductors of a pastor and 14 others at ECWA Church, Dankade, have reached out to the families of the victims demanding for N30 million ransom.

Hayab told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the kidnappers immediately switched off their phone after presenting their demand.

He said the CAN chapter had been in constant touch with the families since the incident.

The Kaduna CAN chapter chairman urged security agencies to take appropriate measures to rescue the victims who were abducted after a Church service on Sunday.

“When people are attacked and taken away from a place of prayers then we need to wake up,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command, in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Sabo, said it has deployed personnel to track the abductors and rescue the victims.

“On Sunday morning at about 0830hrs, we received information through DPO Dogon Dawa that some armed men in large number entered Unguwar Kuli village, a border community between Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State and Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.

“The gunmen started shooting sporadically, went and intercepted some church members while closing from service and took away the Pastor and 14 others.

“On receipt of this information, the Command deployed teams of police operatives to the scene on general search operation with a view to rescuing the victims and arresting the culprits.

“IRT and STS have also been contacted for technical assistance,” he said.

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Naval commander, Lt. Derikoma killed in his apartment in Kaduna

CRIME NEWS

Naval commander, Lt. Derikoma killed in his apartment in Kaduna

A lieutenant commander of the Nigeria navy, Solomon Derikoma, was found dead inside his apartment in Kaduna state on Sunday May 12th.

According to reports, Direkoma from Rivers state, was until his death undergoing a training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna state. He was supposed to go with his colleagues for a study tour yesterday. After waiting for him at the point where they all agreed to gather before proceeding for the tour, some of his colleagues decided to go to his house to call him. 

On getting there, they found a padlock on his door suggesting he wasn't at home. Calls made to his phone were unsuccessful. The padlock was broken and he was found inside his apartment in a pool of his blood. A big stone was found beside him suggesting he might have been murdered.

The police was alerted and his remain has been deposited in the morgue.

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Sharia Court Sentences A Man To 80 Strokes Of Cane For Calling His Sister-In-Law A Prostitute In Kaduna

​BREAKING NEWS

Sharia Court Sentences A Man To 80 Strokes Of Cane For Calling His Sister-In-Law A Prostitute In Kaduna

 

A man, Shuaibu Umar, who allegedly called his sister in law, Suwaiba Abdulkadir a prostitute, has received a judgement of 80 strokes of cane at Sharia court sitting at Magajin Gar, Kaduna state.

Suwaiba had filed a case of defamation against her brother in-law.

She told the court that Umar called her “a prostitute” after a misunderstanding they had.

She explained to the judge on Monday, “Shuaibu is my husband’s younger brother and we had a misunderstanding; we exchanged words and he called me a prostitute.”

“I want this honorable court to grant me justice, as what my brother-in-law said about me has tarnished my image,’’ she said.

However, the defendant, who did not deny calling his sister-in-law a prostitute, said he only spoke in anger and had no regrets.

He told the court, “I was hurt when she called me a drug addict and a thief; that was why I called her a prostitute and I won’t go back on my words.”

In his ruling, the judge, Mallam Dahiru Lawal, said that Umar be given 80 lashes of cane after giving him a chance to withdraw his statement, which he refused to do.

The judge said in his ruling, “The defendant confirmed calling his sister-in-law a prostitute and is not ready to withdraw the statement; therefore, I, Dahiru Lawal, rule that Shuaibu Umar be given 80 strokes of cane.”

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