A Federal High Court in Kano has commenced hearing into the alleged murder of a widow and her baby by her suitor.

The suspect, Musa Lado, who had earlier dated the deceased, Umaima before she got married and separated, allegedly went back to win her hand in marriage after her divorce.

He allegedly visited her home one day in Tafki village of Kunchi now Ghari Local Government and took her out, only for her slain body and that of her baby to be found later on the outskirts of the village.

The suspect was re-arraigned before the court following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution and was charged with homicide, which is contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecuting state counsel, Barrister Jamilu Abubakar, asked the court to give them a date for witnesses’ testimony and the Presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Uhoru adjourned the case till November 11 and ordered the remand of the suspect in Correctional Centre.

The Senate on Tuesday constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate drug distribution allegations by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against Sen. Oyelola Ashiru.(APC-Kwara).

This followed the adoption of a point of order brought by Ashiru under Order 42 of Senate Standing Rules which entailed personal explanations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee has Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe as Chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Senators Ede Dafinone, Afolabi Shaibu, Shehu Kaka and Lawal Usman.

The committee, which has one week to present its report, is to invite NDLEA to speak to the allegation and justify its claims against Ashiru.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had, before announcing the composition of the committee, said Ashiru had actually approached him about the breach of his fundamental rights and privileges.

Akpabio, however, said whatever the NDLEA did was based on Ashiru’s submission, when he said that the integrity of NDLEA officials should be looked into.

He said it was surprising that NDLEA had never invited, arrested or charged Ashiru to court on any drug-related issue before now.

“If they felt you were a drug baron, they would have arrested you when you were 30, 50, 60, 65 years, not at the age of 68, when you made contributions on the floor of the senate on a bill to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.

“We in the senate see you as a gentleman to the core and we must take this issue seriously and call this agency to order because an injury to one is an injury to all.

“So it is my personal view that the senate invites NDLEA to come and justify the allegations, falling to do so, the senate will take very drastic action,” he said.

Earlier in his explanation, Ashiru said he had expressed his concern and contributions on the bill based on information from his constituency on the negative effects of drug consumption and trafficking.

He said one of his constituents had asserted that in the last two years, more than 50 persons had lost their sanity because of drugs.

The senator said there were visible drug barons who were making money from distribution of drugs.

He said that the increase in drug-related crime had resulted in his contribution, advising that the senate looked into the operation of NDLEA officials, especially on the allegations of corruption among them.

Ashiru said that he had also supported the establishment of an institute for awareness and rehabilitation of persons affected by drugs.

He said that he was presenting his personal observations in order to explain and clear himself of the insinuations that he was involved in drug distribution.

“I want to ascertain that in my life, I am 68 years old now, I cannot even identify cannabis or any drug.

“Beyond taking water, I don’t take alcohol; I don’t even take carbonated drinks, beyond taking water and other foods,” he said.

Ashiru said the basis for the debased publication against him could only be traced to his contributions at the plenary on a bill to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.

He said rather than NDLEA addressing the issues raised by the senate, it resorted to deceit.

The lawmaker further stated that the report was an attempt to infringe on the senate’s right to free debate on issues of national interest.

He said the resolve of the senate on the bill was that the menace of drug abuse should be frontally confronted, no matter the personality involved.

Ashiru described NDLEA’s allegations against him as unfounded and malicious.

He said it was an attempt to undermine his credibility as a senator and impede his ability to fully participate in parliamentary debates.

“For the protection of the senate, we must do something about it,” he said.

(NAN)

The Kano state government has denied claims that it banned 14 accredited journalists from covering the government house.

On Tuesday, 14 journalists were asked to return to their respective organisations for replacements without prior notification or official reasons.

The decision was linked to a disagreement between the journalists and the state media managers over issues of privileges.

“Gentlemen of the press, permit me to thank all of you for a job well done in the last one year and few months. Unfortunately, while I was away to the Republic of Serbia last week, some issues happened and the leadership needed to take a decision at this critical time,” the notice read.

Reacting to the development, Dawakin-Tofa Bature, spokesperson of Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano state, said it is a routine to replace reporters who cover the activities of the governor.

Bature explained that the state government can decide “at any time” to ask for the replacement of reporters with or without an explanation.

“Replacement is normal. From time to time, people are changed from Government House beat with or without reason. It is a normal in any organization,” Bature told TheCable.

“Many at times, media organisations replace their reporters or we ask for replacement.”

The affected persons include Aliyu Yusuf, director for public enlightenment; Sani Abubakar, public relations officer (PRO); Adamu Dabo, chairman crew, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Naziru Yau, Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV); Sadiq Sani AA, ARTV; Rabiu Sunusi, Triumph; and Umar Sheka, Freedom Radio.

Others are Jabir Dan’abba, Nasara Radio; Labaran, sound operator; Simon, AIT cameraman; Nasiru Danhaki, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA); Abdullahi Sule, driver; Baba Kusa, Express Radio; and Ibrahim Muazzam, Radio Kano.

Credit: TheCable