Ribadu has since denied the allegation, and is now
threatening to sue the deputy governor if he does not retract the claim.
In a letter to Gwarzo, Aliyu & Musa Chambers, counsel to
Ribadu, demanded an apology from the deputy governor.
“The attention of our client was drawn to a video clip being
shared on different social media platforms wherein you granted an interview at
Emir’s Palace in Kano on Saturday, the 25th day of May 2024, in a very calm
atmosphere, and without any provocation whatsoever, falsely accusing our client
of using his office to kill the people of Kano State and maim their
properties,” the letter as quoted by Daily Trust reads.
“In the clip, you
were shown to be speaking in Hausa.
“Your false accusations against our client portraying his
office as an appendage of a political party and a willing tool to cause chaos
in Kano is false and done with the intention of damaging the hard-earned
reputation of our client in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the
society and indeed it has succeeded in doing so.
“In all the places he has served, our client has never been
accused of any wrongdoing.
“Given this illustrious background, it is inconceivable that
someone would harbour the thought that our client would descend his exalted
office so low as to interfere in the local tussle of the Kano Emirate.
“The wide coverage
you gave your interview has caused serious embarrassment to our client and his
family.
“Since the publication, our client has been receiving
barrage of telephone calls both within and outside Nigeria from friends and
associates who felt disappointed in him because of the false allegation owing
to the fact that it came from a person occupying the office of Deputy Governor
of Kano State.
“Our client and his office take your allegations seriously
and by this letter, our client is demanding that you provide irrefutable evidence
to substantiate your claims. If you have no proof, our client demands you to
within 24 hours:
“i. retract the libellous allegation in a similar manner you
made it as well as give it wide media circulation; and…
“ii. issue a public
apology in five National dailies with wide national coverage and on popular
online platforms. Note that if you fail to do so, our client will be compelled
to seek redress in a court of law.”
Sanusi was deposed in 2020 after falling out with Abdullahi
Ganduje, the governor of Kano at the time.
On Thursday, the Kano house of assembly repealed the 2019
law used to oust Sanusi and balkanise the emirate into five jurisdictions.
The new emirate law stipulated the sack of all the Emirs in
the jurisdictions and a restoration of the old order.
Abba Yusuf, Kano governor, had given the sacked monarchs 48
hours to vacate their palaces.
While the Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya have
complied with the directive, Bayero has not.
Bayero has called on the “authorities” to ensure justice.
