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Kano Magistrate Aminu Gabari Accused Of Forceful Collection Of Bribe

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4 years ago

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Magistrate Aminu Gabari

 

A senior magistrate in Kano, Aminu Gabari, has allegedly forced a litigant in a case before his court to pay the sum of N400,000 to his account as bribe.

Mr Gabari is notorious for jailing and imposing stringent bail conditions on critics of the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that direct complaints emanating from the Kano Government House are always filed and prosecuted in his court, in clear contravention of Section 107 (4)(5)(6) of the Administration Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, which provides that magistrates in whose courts direct complaints are filed should not be the ones to try the substantive matter but only take cognisance of the offence and direct the matter to another magistrate.

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Insiders also told DAILY NIGERIAN that “lucrative cases” involving high profile persons or huge amounts of money are often directed to his court, for reasons best known to the state judiciary.

In a petition addressed to the Kano Chief Judge, Nura Sagir, one Ismail Maitama Yusuf (a complainant before Mr Gabari) claimed that he paid the sum of N400,000 in two tranches to Mr Gabari in order to secure the release of a part of his money deposited in the court.

The petition, dated January 31, 2022, also revealed how Mr Gabari released two suspects in questionable circumstances, despite defrauding the petitioner N38 million.

The petition reads in part: “Sir, sometime in December 2020, I was defrauded by some people named Abbas Dauda Isah, Awwal Mainasara and Jeremiah Obida (now defendants), where they conspired and defrauded me the sum of N38,000,000 (Thirty Eight Million Naira) as a result of which the police from the AIG Zone 1 Kano filed FIR against them, (and) same was directed to Senior Magistrate Court 58 Normansland, Kano for prosecution of the offences of conspiracy and receipt by false pretense.

Sir, during the arraignment, the defendants admitted the alleged offences and the court asked them to write an undertaking for the refund of my money. They undertook in writing to refund my money within two weeks from the date of the arraignment, but they failed to do so as promised. Instead, the two defendants only deposited the sum of N3,000,000 each, making the total sum of N6,000,000 as part of my money. They are Abbas Dauda Isah and Auwal Mainassara.

“Sir, the court released them on bail, but the third defendant (Jeremiah Obida) was released on bail without providing any surety/sureties for the reason best known to the court, as a result of which he (Jeremiah Obida) absconded bail and disappeared for the period of more than 8 months.

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Sir, before the sum of N6,000,000 deposited as part of my money released to me, I was forced by the above mentioned magistrate that I will be given the money on bond and I must give him the sum of N400,000 as his share, which he collected the sum of N200,000 through bank account. I attached the back payment slip of N200,000 to his bank account as evidence.

“Subsequently, he collected the addition at sum of N200,000 cash from me at his residence in Sharada Jaen, Baffa Babba Dan-Agundi line, in the presence of Mallam Bashir Ahmed and Yusuf Muhammad Sani as witnesses.

“Sir, as soon as the court knew that he (Jeremiah Obida) was re-apprehended by his co-defendants, the court without any application by either party, transferred the case instantly to Chief Magistrate Court 14, Gyadi-Gyadi Complex, because the Magistrate Court 58 does not want the secret behind the abscondment of bail of the Jeremiah Obida to be exposed, and therefore, the magistrate extracted some important documents in the case file, including the bond I was forced to write and the undertaking written for the refund of my money by Jeremiah Obida and then transferred the case, almost empty file.

Sir, with utmost respect, despite the fact that the case was transferred before Chief Magistrate Court 14 Gyadi-Gyadi suo-moto by the Court 58, however, His Worship Aminu Muhammad Gabari keeps calling me with his mobile phone number (08065433765) on different occasions that I should refund the sum of N6,000,000 to him, or else he will deal with me and even threatened to arrest anytime and anywhere.”

When DAILY NIGERIAN approached Mr Gabari to speak on the allegations, the magistrate denied collecting any bribe from the petitioner, saying that the allegation is a mere claim.

According to Mr Gabari, the petitioner came up with the allegations in order to create public sympathy because he was declared wanted by the court.

He said: “I can’t respond to the petition. Responding to the petition means I am joining issues with him, which contravenes my stand as a public servant.

“If you need further clarification on the matter, please contact the PRO of the court.

“In fact, the petitioner is on bench warrant. I have ordered for his arrest in order to return the N6million he collected on bond. He promised to return the money anytime the court needs it but has refused to do so.”

Spokesman for Kano judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, said he could not speak on the matter at the moment.

He explained that he travelled out of the country, and that receiving or making international call would deplete his call credit.

Legal experts however opine that the issuance of the bench warrant against the nominal complainant amounts to abuse of office and gross misapplication of the law on the grounds that the magistrate is no longer exercising jurisdiction on the case and the fact that the magistrate cannot be a judge in his own case.

The experts further argued that monetary deposits for bail can only be released to the defendant who furnished same on bond and not to the nominal complainant as that would amount to determining the matter.

Barrage of accusations against Gabari

A Civil Society Organisation, Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability, CAJA, recently petitioned the National Judicial Council, over Kano State chief judge, Nura Sagir’s alleged inaction on petitions of misconducts against Mr Gabari.

In a three page petition, signed by Kabiru Saidu Dakata, its Executive Director and addressed to NJC Chairman and Chief Justice of Nigeria, the CSO accused the leadership of Kano judiciary of inaction to complaints on various acts of corruption,discriminatory/preferential treatments of litigants and biases in the direction of cases to the magistrate courts.

In the petition, dated March 15, CAJA said the magistrate, who its findings reveal, is notorious for doing the biddings of government, citing at least six cases involving critics of the Governor.

Source (Daily NIGERIAN)

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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3 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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2027: Former 44 Local Government Speakers During Ganduje’s Tenure, Malam Takai Endorse Senator Barau as Kano APC Gubernatorial Candidate

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20 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has confirmed that a forum of former local government speakers in Kano State, who served during the tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have formally endorsed him as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

Senator Barau disclosed this while receiving the delegation, led by Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya, Chairman of the forum, at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja. He described their visit as a demonstration of unity and commitment to the progress of Kano State.

According to Senator Barau, the delegation, comprising 32 former House Leaders, came with a clear and united message of support. He explained that the group not only declared total backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid but also adopted him as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Kano in 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya said the forum had overwhelming confidence in Senator Barau’s leadership. He described him as “a senator for all, who, irrespective of constituency, offers support for the well-being and development of Kano State and its people.” Gamarya added: “You are our gubernatorial candidate and governor come May 29, 2027, Insha Allah.”

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The forum’s Secretary, Hon. Usman Muazu Garin Malam, reaffirmed their grassroots commitment, stating: “We, the house leaders, hereby support President Tinubu’s second-term bid and endorse you as the sole APC gubernatorial candidate. All we need is your support, and we will mobilise the grassroots for you.”

Former Speaker of Tofa LGA, Hon. Shehu Halilu, highlighted Senator Barau’s developmental projects across communities. He said: “The bridge you built in our village is saving lives. Your interventions touch women, men, children, farmers, and teachers everywhere. This is why we want you as the next governor of Kano.”

Halilu subsequently moved a motion for the formal adoption of Senator Barau’s candidature for 2027. The motion was seconded by Hon. Sunusi Abdu, former leader of Garko LGA, who declared: “Anybody that is against you is an enemy of Kano and an enemy of APC. That person is also against President Tinubu.”

Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Kano, also lent his voice to the endorsement. He urged party members and stakeholders to work together for APC’s victory in the state, saying: “Choosing Senator Barau as Governor is the best decision for Kano, and promoting his candidature is a duty for all lovers of our state.”

In his remarks, Senator Barau expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanked the forum for their courage, unity, and unwavering belief in Kano’s future. He reminded them of the shared responsibility to restore Kano to its rightful place as a centre of commerce, education, industry, good governance, and social progress.

“With dedication, sincerity, and unity of purpose, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Kano,” Senator Barau said, praying for Allah’s guidance and success in the journey ahead.

 

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Kano Bans Unauthorized Hisbah Groups, Outlaws ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’

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20 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Kano State Government has issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorized Hisbah-like groups, particularly targeting a self-styled body known as the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi.

 

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing

 

 

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

 

The Commissioner said government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilization and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

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According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

 

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the state.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasized that it “shall remain the sole legally recognized institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

 

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

 

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

 

According to him also, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorized enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

 

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralize religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures

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