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2019: Mixed Reactions Trails Badaru’s Endorsement

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By: Isa Ahmad
JIGAWA, North-West, Nigeria – Mixed reactions have trailed the recent endorsement of Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar for a second term by members of the State House of Assembly, especially from oppositions within his party, the All Progressives Congress Party, ((APC).

A chieftain of the party, Honorable Nasir Dantiye is among personalities that criticized the move, saying it violate the constitution, as the state assembly is meant to make laws and not for politicking.
He reminded the House members of their civic responsibilities in making laws that will better the lots of the electorate; challengging them to enumerate the number of established bills passed into law that has direct bearing on the people.
“Our assembly men were elected to protect the interest of the masses that elected them and not to be perceived by selfish sentiment in turning the legislative house into an avenue for politicking one’s personal interest.

”However I wasn’t surprised by this action since most of the thirty assembly members are nothing more than ‘a rubber stamp’ to Governor Badaru. As the one who sponsored their emergence as assembly members, therefore you don’t expect them going confrontational with the Governor at all times even if he goes contrary to the provision of the laws of the land,” he said.

Dantiye who is a former Federal lawmaker, representing Garki Babura Federal Constituency under the defunct All Nigeria’s Peoples Party, (ANPP) lamented the way and manner Governor Badaru is handling the APC
against the popular will of the people.
He maintained that the APC has continued from where PDP stopped by imposing candidates on electorate during the just concluded Ward, Local Government and the State Congresses, a situation which he said clearly indicates that the party has derailed from its initial slogan of ‘equity and social justice’.
Similarly, other members of the ruling party in the state who spoke to Daily News Precise, are Mallam Ibrahim Garki and Saidu Buji, who both lamented the poor outings recorded by Governor Badaru for the past three years.
“Honestly we doubt casting our votes the second time for Governor Badaru, since he had performed below expectations,” they stated.
A member of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Aminu Kasti, said he was baffled by the action of the lawmakers, saying Governor Badaru has nothing on ground to show as achievements in the last three years

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He added that the Governor has only succeeded in distorting all inherited government institutions reinvigorated by the PDP led administration of former governor, Sule Lamido
He queried the said projects executed by the APC led government of Gov Badaru in Jigawa state to warrant him seek for a second term after failing to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the masses.
According to him, the numerous collapsed government institutions, bastadization of the educational and Health sectors, couple with decadence in the State Civil Service which the past administration reinvigorated.

Others he said include the collapse of Agricultural sector where farmers are denied timely access to fertilizers at affordable prices, soft loan facilities for rainy and irrigation farmers across the state despite government’s pronouncement over a new methodology of agricultural transformation under the tenet of anchor borrowers.

However, in a sharp reaction, the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Honorable Isa Gwaram, said their action is a right decision taken at the right time due to Governor’s tremendous successes in transforming the state in the last three years, through various intervention.

“Our decision to give Governor Badaru the mandate for second term was informed by his enthusiastic approach to steering the leadership of Jigawa State most peacefully and above all his commitments in transparent leadership.

“Members of the State House of Assembly were convinced of Governor Badaru’s transparency in governance through probity and accountability in managing public resources with decorum, dedication and transparency,” he said.

Money Sets Adamawa Govt Officials In Fierce Battle

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By: Aliyu Gambo
YOLA, North-East, Nigeria – It appears two politicians of Adamawa state are in a fierce battle over funds released for logistics to mobilise party members of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA) during the last ward congress of the party.
The Executive Chairman of Lamurde LGA was said to have manhandled the state Commissioner of Solid Minerals, Barrister Shanti Shashi, an indigene of Lamurde over the released funds for the said LG congress.
Mr. Nzonzo was later dragged before a court for allegedly manhandling a female Commissioner by the Adamawa State Branch of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
Investigations revealed that Mr. Nzonzo battered the commissioner who in the process lost a tooth over the said funds released by the State Government which she was said to have collected.
The Chairman of Lamurde felt Barr. Shashi is daring his authority as the man in-charge at the grassroots when he arrived Yola to collect the money but was informed the commissioner who also hails from Lamurde had collected the money.
According to a source who does not want his name on print; “When angry Nzonzo left after a shouting match with the commissioner in Yola, I knew the last has not been heard of them,” he said.
Narrating his side of the story, Mr. Nzonzo said the honourable commissioner should just bury her face in shame for attempting to pilfer the funds meant for party members of his LGA during the last Congress.
”All I Know is that she attempted carting away funds meant for party members for the conduct of a local government Congress of our party.
“During a heated argument for her to handover the money to the LGA Chairman of the Party, she was adamant trying to zoom off with the cash whereby I grabbed her car keys in an effort to stop her from going. So it beats my imagination to have read from the media that I had beaten up my commissioner.
“There were senior government officials that witnessed the whole drama as it played out where they sue for peace,” he said.
A stakeholder of APC in Lamurde, Mr. Gabriel lamented bitterly that the Commissioner has been romancing the political enemies of Governor Muhammadu Bindow, by frustrating his efforts. He added that the Commissioner has not been able to influenced any tangible developmental projects to the area despite her position.
“It’s a pity that our commissioner has been winning and dinning with even Bindow’s enemies. Aligning herself with our House of Representative member,Talatu who is known to be an anti-Bindow, our progressive Governor.
“She is one of the enemies of our Local Government, causing all kinds of confusion, using her privileged office to defraud people and our state. I have all her dossiers, and schemes to defraud the State Government using her office to the detriment of our people,” he said.

El-Rufai’s Education Reorganization Is In The Interest Of Citizens… Aide

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By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Special Adviser on Christian Matters (Interfaith Bureau) to Kaduna State Governor, Rev Haruna Gaga has said the reorganization of the education sector is in the interest of Kaduna State citizens and not to hurt anyone, saying Governor El-Rufai is prepared to support education as his cardinal programs are; education, health and security.
He made the assertion at the Middle-Belt Interfaith 6th Edition and 1st Annual Competition Among School-Age (“Catch Them Young”) and Merit Award held in Kaduna on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
According to him, the Governor currently has a program where he intend to build permanent schools that will stand the test of time and compete favourably anywhere in the world.
“The reorganization in education sector in the state is in the interest of its citizens and not to hurt anybody, rather the governor wants quality teachers, schools and programs so that in future our schools can compete anywhere in the world, and also make Kaduna great,” he maintained.
Rev. Gaga said that this is the first time in Kaduna State Interfaith is bringing Christians and Muslims secondary, primary school-age to work together for unity. He added that when youth live, play together and see themselves as valuable to one another, that is the only way we can make a better tomorrow.

Earlier

in his address, National President of the Middle-Belt Youth Organization, Ambassador Victor Enjema, said the organization funds youth interfaith among school-age primary and secondary schools in Nigeria as a project, particularly in the north, and hopes to improve relationship, consolidate peace and curb insecurity in northern Nigeria to avoid religious crisis, which is tearing people apart in the society.
According to him, the organization as a follow up project was able to select fifteen schools of both faiths in Kaduna state as a “flash-point” and a pilot scheme, which indeed was flagged-off in Arewa House on October 28, 2014.
“On February 23, 2017, the organization held its 5th Edition at Madinatul Ahbab College, Tudun Wada, Kaduna for the first time in the history of Islamic schools hosting Christians alike, to embrace peace while during the competition prizes were won.
“On October 21, 2017, the organization held its 6th edition and 1st annual competition among the school-age and hosted by Sardauna Memorial College (S.M.C), Angwan Dosa, Kaduna with the following schools which emerged winners: 1st position – Rimi College, Kaduna; 2nd position – Makera Model Primary School, Kakuri Kaduna; and 3rd position – Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Kagoro Road, Tudun-Wada Kaduna.
“It is our believe that this platform will only provide a rallying-point for Muslims and Christians among school-age through integration, but also provide a common voice that is nationally audible and acceptable by all in the society of our time,” he said.

Fielding questions from Journalists shortly after receiving a meritorious award, Founder of Treasure Youth and Widows Association, Dr. Charity Ogbole commended organizers of the event, saying the award will challenge her association to do more for the less privileged in the society.

Dr. Ogbole who was represented by

Martha Ogbole, said her association has just clocked 10years where programs are held for youth and widows in Kaduna State.
She added that yearly the Association places these categories of Nigerians on a platform where they can enjoy facility of being self independent and confident in the market.
Speaking on behalf of other students, Abdulsalam Abubakar of Rimi College, Kaduna, commended the organizers of the event and resolved to live together in unity with one another irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliations

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Kaduna JOHESU Joins National Strike

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By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Kaduna State chapter of the Joint Health Sector Unions, (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health Care Professionals have decided to join the ongoing national strike called by the leadership of the Union.

The State Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman disclosed this while speaking to the media in Kaduna on Friday, May 17, 2018.

According to him, the Union are demanding that: The State Government should issue a circular for implementation of the balance of 30 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for the State and Local Government Health Workers.

He added that the Union also demanded that all statutory and professional dues deductions e.g Pension, Taxes, National Housing Fund, cooperative e contribution, Union Check-off dues among others should be remitted without further delay to the appropriate institutions.

The Union also demanded that State Government domesticate court judgment in favour of Medical Laboratory Scientists from the National Industrial Court in Kaduna State (Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital Kaduna).

“It is with pains in our hearts that we are drawing the attention of our members, consumers of health services and the general public that just like the Federal Government not showing any sign of commitment by addressing the issues placed before them by the National Leadership of JOHESU, one month after the strike started; the Kaduna State Government has also not demonstrated any serious commitment to the domestic issues placed before them as our last meeting with government on Thursday, May 17, 2018 ended up with promissory note without any offer.

“We want to place it on record that the Leadership of JOHESU in Kaduna State has gratuitously offered an extra 9 days olive branch outside the time frame for the commencement of the strike which was May 9, 2018 just to enable the State Government to address the issues in contention but the gesture has not been well appreciated by the government.

“In line with the national directive for States and Local Governments to proceed on strike with effect from May 9, 2018 and, in addition to the fact that the State Government has rebuffed our patriotic diplomatic shuttles to them to resolve the issues in contention.

“In view of the above, Comrade Suleiman said JOHESU Kaduna State Chapter has directed all her members in the State and Local Government Health Institutions to commence the JOHESU strike midnight of Friday, May 18, 2018 unfailingly.”

Fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the press conference, Secretary General of Medical Health Personnel of Nigeria, Comrade Silas Adamu, said the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) calling JOHESU an illegal contraption is quite unfortunate. He said NMA is an illegal union.
“NMA as an unregistered organization does not have the status that Government confers on it as a trade union. It is only a registered trade union that is conferred with such status; but unfortunately because of the nature of the Federal Ministry of Health in causing discriminatory tendencies with the set up in the health sector it has conferred on NMA illegally a status of a trade union.
“Let the NMA produce it registration by the Registrar of Trade Unions that confers on it the status of a trade union.
“All the five registered unions NMA calls illegal contraption are registered trade unions. If five registered trade unions operating within the same environment decide to come together to negotiate with their employers, what is illegal about that?” he queried.

New Nigerian Newspaper Losses MD

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By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The New Nigerian Newspapers Ltd has been thrown into mourning over the demise of its Managing Director, Alhaji Tukur Abdulrahman.

A statement signed by the company’s Online Editor, Jacob Dickson informed that the news of his demise was announced on Thursday night, staff of the company have been in shock.

The Production Manager of the company, Alhaji Yusuf Kontagora said that the news was devastating.

“I am still in shock after receiving the sad news. We are still confused as to the next line of action,” he said.

In his own reaction, the Online Editor, Mr. Dickson described the late MD as a kind hearted leader, who would be missed dearly by all staff of the organisation.

“He was so kind hearted and loved by all staff of the organisation. He was more than a boss, a close friend who always has a listening ear,” he added.

Chairman, New Nigerian Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Benedict Sunday, described the loss as a colossal one, which will not only shake the organization, but journalism as a whole in Nigeria.

Family sources informed that Mr Abdulrahman died at H2 Speciality Clinic in Asokoro, Abuja on Thursday night after spending a few days in the hospital.

The late Abdulrahman was an indigene of Daura, Katsina State. He did his secondary education at Government College Kaduna, before proceeding to Bayero University Kano for his tertiary education.

He edited Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo, a vernacular publication of the New Nigerian, before his appointment as the title editor.

According to family sources, the late Abdulrahman would be buried in his home town Daura after Juma’a prayers in Daura at Waziri’s Daura House by 4pm on Friday, 18, 2018.

He is survived by a wife and five children.

Kaduna LG Polls:  APC Leads With 13 Councils

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…As KAD-SIECOM Declares 2 Councils Inconclusive, 3 Rescheduled

By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North- West, Nigeria – The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State and the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shared the spoils in last Saturday’s local government polls in the State.

Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (KADSIECOM), Dr. Saratu Dikko disclosed this during a press conference held in Kaduna on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

According to the official announcement of the results by Chairman of the Commission, APC swept 13 Local Government Councils, while PDP won 4 out of the seventeen council results released.

The KAD-SIECOM boss explained that the results had already been announced at the wards for councillorship and LGA collation centres for the chairmanship.

According to her, the result is as follows: Chairman of Birnin Gwari LGA was won by Alhaji Garba Gambo (APC); Chairman Giwa LGA, Abubakar Shehu Giwa (APC), and

Chairman Igabi LGA, Jabir Khamis (APC).

Chairman Ikara LGA, Salisu Ibrahim (APC); Jema’a LGA Peter Averick (PDP); Kachia LGA won by Peter Agite (PDP), while Chairman Kaduna North LGA won by Saleh Shuaibu (APC).

Chairman Kagarko LGA won by Nasara Rago (APC); Kauru LGA Chairman Shuaibu Goma (PDP); Kubau LGA, Alhaji Sambo Aminu (APC), and Kudan LGA Chairman Shu’aibu Jaja (APC).

Lere LGA Chairman Abubakar Buba (APC); Makarfi LGA Kabiru Mayere (APC); Sabon Gari LGA Chairman Engr. Mohammed Usman (APC).

Sanga LGA Chairman Charles Danladi (APC); Soba LGA Chairman Mohammed Mahmood (APC); Zango Kataf LGA, Dr. Elias Manza (PDP), and Zaria LGA Chairman Engineer Aliyu Idris Ibrahim (APC).

The result for the Chairmanship of Chikun LGA elections could not be announced as elections were said to be inconclusive.
However, two wards in Kaduna South LGA results were not available, but will be announced after the rescheduled polls. Also, election results in Sabon Gari North and South wards would be announced when the rescheduled polls are conducted.
Meanwhile, elections were rescheduled in four wards; Kujama, Chikun and Kakau. While that of the three local government areas not announced; Kajuru, Jaba and Kaura where rescheduled for June 2, 2018.
Winners of the last Saturday exercise would be issued Certificate of Return on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

Step Up Action To Eliminate Bandits In Nigeria  – Northern Christians Tells Buhari 

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By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Congress of Northern Nigerian Christians, (CNNC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to employ diverse practical and visible steps in eliminating armed bandits that have made Nigeria a battle field where innocent people are butchered on daily basis.
The Congress stated this in a press release signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Larry Yammai and made available to the media in Kaduna on Wednesday, May 16, 2018..
According to the statement, Government must not offer the semblance of support to these killers as no action is tantamount to tacit approval of the killings.
The statement added that the unwillingness of the Government to tackle and eliminate the killers has emboldened them, hence, the daily killings across the land.
“It shouldn’t take the President of the United States, Donald Trump to call for the protection of Christians in Nigeria in the first place. The President must remember that he swore to protect the lives of Nigerians as anything short of that has invalidated his oath of office.
“CNNC supports with enthusiasm the call for the complete xhamhe of guards at the security top echelons to give a new impetus in the fight against these criminal elements that have appeared to be unstoppable,” the statement reads.
The Congress further called on President Buhari to facilitate the immediate release of Leah Sharibu and the remain ing Chibok girls that are still in captivity. According to the statement the president should see the captive girls as his daughters.
“CNNC calls on Christian leaders in Nigeria to add their voices and condemn the killings that have been on the increase on daily basis. The Christian leadership must organize open-air services on an appointed day to pray for the nation and ask for God’s protection against the ongoing slaughter that is being meted on Nigeria’s Christendom.
“Prayers should also be offered for safe return of Leah Sharibu and the remaining Chibok girls who are still in the hands of their abductors.
“CNNC calls on Gen. (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon to lead the prayer crusade all over the country on the same day. God will listen and answer our prayers,” it stated.

Resident Doctors Calls For Establishment Of Infectious Disease Centres 

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By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, (NARD), has called on the Federal Government to setup Regional Infectious disease centres of excellence across the country to ease the pressure at ISTH, Irrua and to stem the needless loss of lives to Lassa fever.

NARD stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of its 38th ordinary general meeting held at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria and made available to the media in Kaduna on Wednesday, May 16, 2019.

The communiqué signed by Dr. Ugochukwu Chinaka and Dr, Osinachukwu Nnadi, President and Secretary General respectively said these infectious diseases has posed many risks and deaths to health workers citing example of the recent Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

NARD also demanded that as a matter of urgency Government should provide Comprehensive Life Insurance scheme for health workers in Nigeria in view of the threat posed on them by Lassa fever and other infectious diseases in the country.
The Association however, called on its members to imbibe Universal Health precaution and best hygienic practices such as hand washing, maintaining personal and environmental cleanliness.
“The ongoing advocacy with the Board of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is welcomed, but NARD wants Government to impress on the JUTH Board and Management to reinstate all unjustly sacked Resident Doctors in JUTH immediately.

“Delegates resolved to extend the ultimatum by 21 days, starting from Monday, May 14, 2018. This extension is to avail Government time to reinstate our sacked Members in JUTH with full benefits and also meet outstanding agreement contained in the above stated Memorandum of Terms of Settlement (MOTOS), after which NARD may not guarantee industrial harmony.

“NARD enjoins the Government of Osun State to urgently look into the welfare of our members at LTH Osogbo and resolve all lingering issues pertaining to the welfare of our members in Osogbo.

“Delegates unanimously called on the FG of Nigeria to urgently take over Tertiary Healthcare from State Governments. This will not only protect the welfare of our Members in State University Teaching Hospitals (SUTHS), it will guarantee specialist Healthcare delivery to the Nigerian populace.

“NARD does not have issues with pressure groups including Health workers agitating for better working conditions. However, we condemn a situation where they resort to cheap blackmail and violent assault on our Members at their duty post.

“We call on the FG of Nigeria; Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) to ensure the security of Doctors and all staff working in hospitals across the country during this JOHESU strike and beyond.

“NARD demands that CMDs of hospitals where our members are assaulted bring the perpetrators of these violent acts to book,” it said.

Kaduna LG Polls: PDP Alleges Uba Sani Behind Manipulation Of Results

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By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that the Special Adviser, Political to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani is nehind the manipulation of the just concluded Local Government elections in the State to favour the ruling All Progressives Party, (APC).

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to the media by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Hon Abraham Catoh on Tuesday May 15, 2018.

The party observed that the elections were full of irregularities and thuggery by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM), where results of elections from most of the LGAs were announced even before the elections were concluded.

“Election materials were not delivered to the 11 wards of Igabi Local Government, but results were announced for those wards. Similar incidence happened in Giwa, Kudan, Ikara, Kaduna North, Kubau and Lere Local Government areas.

“Electronic voting machines and results sheets snatched away to unknown destinations, but results were announced on radio stations.

“Section 23(1)(a) of the SIECOM laws, states that: the Presiding Officer shall announce the results of the Polling Unit at the Polling Booth and enter in the appropriate forms before giving same to Political Party Agents and Security Agents.
“(b) Presiding Officers shall announce the results at the Ward Collation Centres and declare the winner.

“(2)(a) Ward Returning Officers shall announce the results at the Ward Collation Centres and declare the winner.

“(b) Local Government Returning Officers shall announce the results collated from the different Wards of the Local Government and declare the winner at the Local Government Collation Centre.

“It will be recalled that while the Elections were on going, the Governor, Nasir El-Rufai went on air to announce the postponement of Elections in two Local Government Areas i.e Kaura and Jaba Local governments. We wonder if the Governor is the PRO or the Chairman of the SIECOM.

“It is very glaring that the PDP defeated the APC in most of the Local Governments where Elections were properly conducted across the State, including the Governor’s Ward, where the PDP defeated the APC, hugely.

“It is also curious that the Political Adviser to the Governor, Mal Uba Sani, was seen going round the Local Governments with heavily armed military personnel in 4 trucks, believed to be the one behind the kidnapping of the returning officers and sensitive election materials to stop the announcement of authentic Elections Results, while announcing their cooked up results which doesn’t tally with the original results as recorded by the Polling Clerks and Presiding Officers of the Commission. This is a day light robbery!”

PDP said that in Kajuru, Chikun and Kagarko Local Governments Areas, the results are yet to be announced officially due to the disappearance of the Local Government Returning officers but the desperate politicians have made the announcement without figures scored by each political party. This is an embarrassment to our democracy.

“We call on the SIECOM to adhere to its laws before the final announcement would be made,” it concluded.

El- Zakzaky Charge For Culpable Homicide

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By: Mayen Etim

KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky was on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 was charged for culpable homicide punishable with death before a Kaduna High Court 4 amidst tight security.
The Cleric who was in the court in company of his wife as early as 8:30am was said to have been smuggled into Kaduna the previous night from where he is being kept.
Speaking to the media, Counsel to Zakzaky, Barrister Maxwell Kyom, said the Cleric is being charged for unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide punishable with death.

Barrister Kyom said the case could not continue because two of the Defendants were not in court. He said an oral application was moved for the bail of the Cleric and his wife, but the presiding judge, Justice Gideon Kurada asked him to put his application in writing.

Journalists and sympathizers of the Shiites’ leader trooped to the court premises but were barred from entering as the major road leading to the court was condoned off.

From the Yakubu Gowon Way by Bida road, two hilux of Kaduna state security outfit ‘Operation Yaki’ blocked the road and pedestrians who are not staff of the High Court were turned away.
A leader of the Shiites sect in Kaduna, Mallam Abdulhameed Bello said Sheikh Zakzaky was forcefully brought to Kaduna a night before the sitting.
According to him, members of the Movement were disappointed for his re-arraignment because in a substantive suit before an Abuja High Court, the court ruled that he should be released unconditional.
Mallam Bello disclosed that Sheikh Zakzaky is almost losing his two eyes and suffering from Diabetes and mild Stroke.
“We call on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to as a matter of urgency obey the judgment of the Abuja court and release the Sheikh for peace to reign.
“We as a Movement will continue to use all peaceful means to put pressure on the government to see reason and allow Sheikh Zakzaky to go home and attend to his deteriorating health,” he said.
The case was adjourned to June 21, 2018 by the presiding judge, Justice Kurada based on application by the prosecutor for them to properly file their statement of claim.