Kwankwaso slams N10 bn suit against Kano Pensioners For Damaging His Image

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has filed a suit through his lawyer, Okechukwu Nwaeze, demanding payment of N10 billion damages from Kano State pensioners for “tarnishing his image”.

On May 30, barely 24 hours after the handing over of power, PREMIUM TIMES reported that pensioners in the state had dragged Mr. Kwankwaso to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, demanding recovery of N2 billion pension funds allegedly deposited by the former governor in a failed bank.

Mr. Nwaeze filed a case seeking the court to stop the EFCC from arresting Mr. Kwankwaso as fear of arrest had confined the former governor to his residence and stopped him from discharging his legislative duties.

However, Mr. Nwaeze later withdrew the case when Mr. Kwankwaso disowned him and denied knowledge of the legal action against the anti-graft agency on his behalf.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Neuse has now gone back to court demanding payment of N10 billion damages from the pensioners for describing his client, Mr. Kwankwaso, as “corrupt, criminal governor who is a proper subject for prosecution by the EFCC” in their petition.

In the writ obtained by our correspondent, the lawyer also accused the pensioners of saying that the plaintiff, Mr. Kwankwaso, misappropriated over N10 billion pension funds through Kano State Pensions Board.

Mr. Nwaeze said his client was not in court owing to the fact that the pensioners described him as “high-handed [person] who is not fit to lead or be supported by the people of Kano, and that he is dishonest and not to be believed and trusted”.

He stated that due to the pensioners’ allegations, Mr. Kwankwaso had suffered public ridicule, ostracism by acquaintances, members of Mr. Kwankwaso’s political group, Kwankwasiyya, and some of the people he was elected to represent at the National Assembly.

Mr. Nwaeze therefore sought payment of N10 billion damages and another N500 million to his client for the repeated publication of the allegations against the plaintiff by the defendants.

The case, with a suit number: K/196/ of 2015, between Mr. Kwankwaso and the defendants, Lamido M. Matawale and 4 others before a Kano High Court, was adjourned to September 28 for mention.

A Kano High Court judge, Muhammad Yahya, had earlier ordered Mr. Nwaeze to pay N50, 000 to the EFCC, and also ordered the Nigeria Bar Association investigate him for misrepresentation after seeking withdrawal of the case barring the anti-graft agency from arresting Mr. Kwankwaso.

Estelle says: How do they pay the money, from their unpaid pensions?

Sourse: Premiumtimes.

Senate Hails Withdrawal Of Forgery Suit By Saraki's Opponents

The Senate yesterday commended its members who operate under the aegis of The Unity Forum for withdrawing the suit they filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in which they sought to remove the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, from office over allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 used for the inauguration of the 8th Senate.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday struck out the case and terminated further hearing on the matter after the plaintiffs, who are members of the group loyal to Senator Ahmed Lawal who in turn lost out to Saraki in the contest for the Senate presidency, withdrew their suit.

The five members of the Unity Forum who instituted the suit are Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabiru Marafa, Ajayi Borofice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi.

A statement by the Chairman, Senate ad hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, commended members of both the Unity Forum and the Like Minds Senators loyal to Saraki for their maturity and sagacity.

Melaye said with the discontinuation of the suit, the plaintiffs and their supporters demonstrated that national interest was superior to individual and group interest.

He added that the development had put to shame divisive elements who wanted to ridicule the Senate.
Melaye said: “On behalf of the Senate, we want to commend the maturity of the Unity Group and Like Minds Group. We appreciate that by withdrawing the suit, national interest has overcome individual and group interest.

“I salute the sagacity of the Unity Forum for withdrawing the matter from the court. This is as a result of a series of underground reconciliatory moves. I salute the sense of purpose of both groups.

“By this very positive development, the divisive elements who wanted to bring the 8th Senate to ridicule have been completely shamed.”
He stated that the 8th Senate would henceforth remain focused on issues that border only on the security and welfare of the people.

“Our primary objectives shall continue to remain about the people, the people and the people. The Senate President has promised to carry all parties along and he shall at all times place national interest above primordial sentiments,” Melaye said.

Source: ThisDay