A Magistrate court sitting in Gidan Murtala, Kano State, has remanded Abdulmalik Tanko, the teacher and other suspected killers of Hanifa Abubakar, just as the state government revoked the licences of private schools in the state.
In the same vein, the Federal Government and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano have vowed to ensure that justice is done in the case.
The victim was kidnapped and poisoned with anti-rodent powder.
Tanko and two other suspects were yesterday, arraigned before Hon. Mohammad Jibril of Magistrate Court 12 on four counts bordering on criminal conspiracy and other offences.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented by the police, Tanko, Hashimu Isiyaku and Fatima Musa will be charged with kidnapping, concealing and confinement of a kidnapped person as well as culpable homicide.
Chief Magistrate Jibril adjourned the case to February 2, 2022, for mention and directed that the suspects be remanded in Kano.
Kano Commissioner for Education, Muhammad Kiru, has directed immediate revocation of operating certification of all private schools in Kano.
Addressing journalists on the aftermath of Hanifa’s gruesome murder, the commissioner said following the development, it has become pertinent to re-examine the security situation of all private schools sequel to the involvement of the proprietor of Noble Kiddies Comprehensive College, in the murder of Hanifa, a student in the school.
Mohammad explained that the government had constituted a committee comprising security operatives to screen and re-validate the private schools.
MEANWHILE, the Federal Government, yesterday, promised to ensure justice for five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar.
In a statement, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, condoled with the Abubakar family and the Kano government.
According to the minister, the Federal Government condemns the inhuman act done to the pupil and similar incidents in other schools across the country, assuring that all the perpetrators must face justice.
Farouq, saddened by the circumstances of the girl’s death, prayed to God to accept her soul and grant the parents the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Also, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has promised to abide by the outcome of a court judgment on the matter.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, the governor vowed to execute all orders of the court, including assent to a death sentence, if the circumstance warrants.
The governor made this known when he paid a condolence visit to the Abubakar family, in the company of his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna; Majority Leader, House of Assembly, Labaran Abdul Madari; and other top government functionaries, at the Dakata/Kawaji.
“We have good confirmation from the court handling the process that justice would be done. No stone would be left unturned,” he assured.
