Emirates tussle: High Court Judge threatens to jail Kano governor’s spokesperson

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano has issued a stern warning to Sanusi Bature, the spokesperson for the Kano State Governor, over alleged misrepresentation of court judgments.

During his ruling on the case concerning the Kano State Commission of Inquiry constituted by Governor Yusuf, Justice Amobeda ordered that a Certified True Copy (CTC) of his judgment be served to the Governor’s spokesperson and any media representatives present in the courtroom to prevent further misrepresentation.

Journalists attending the court proceedings were taken aback as the judge threatened to jail the governor’s spokesperson, expressing dissatisfaction with comments made by state government officials, including Bature, which he said undermined court judgments.

“I know the Governor has immunity, but I have the liberty to jail any of his aides for unguarded utterances against the decision of the court,” Justice Amobeda stated.

In his ruling, Justice Amobeda gave a 48-hour deadline for two Kano State High Court judges, Justice Farouk Lawan Adamu and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, to resign from their appointments as Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the Recovery of Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets, and Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate Political Violence and Missing Persons, respectively.

The commissions were set up by Governor Abba Yusuf to probe the administration of his predecessor, former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.