Celebrations as Zuru Emir pardons Fakai, Danko chiefs

The people of Fakai and Danko in Zuru Emirate Council of Kebbi State have been celebrating the pardoning of their chiefs who were suspended from their chiefdoms for three years. The formal pardoning celebration was witnessed by the chief of Sakaba, Alhaji Muhammad Ladan, chairmen of Fakai and Danko Wasagu, the district heads of Sakaba […]

The people of Fakai and Danko in Zuru Emirate Council of Kebbi State have been celebrating the pardoning of their chiefs who were suspended from their chiefdoms for three years.

The formal pardoning celebration was witnessed by the chief of Sakaba, Alhaji Muhammad Ladan, chairmen of Fakai and Danko Wasagu, the district heads of Sakaba and Danko, many politicians, ulamas, community leaders and elders within and outside the four chiefdoms of Zuru Emirate.

The chiefs of Fakai, Alhaji Hudu Danmalam and chief of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Ala’Aje were suspended and put into house arrest in November 6, 2015 by their respective local government councils.

Their suspension was based on series of queries to them by the Zuru Emirate Council over allegations bothering on mismanagement, illegal mining, removal of village head without due process, confiscation and sale of farmlands and grazing areas and disloyalty to the constituted authority.

Following the suspension, the chiefs had gone to court challenging the action by the local governments and the emirate council. After about three years hearing on the case, the suspended chiefs were reinstated by a High Court in Birnin Kebbi. It directed that they should as well be paid their entitlements with immediate effect.

However, before the court judgment, the state government had set up a high powered committee headed by late Alhaji Muhammed Sani Augie to investigate the matter and advise accordingly. Consequently, the committee visited the Zuru Emirate Council, the two affected chiefdoms and the suspended chiefs. The committee in its recommendation advised that the issue be referred to Kebbi State Council of Chiefs.

Though the Zuru Emirate Council filed an appeal against the High Court ruling but the Emir, after consultation with the stakeholders in the emirate and the state government decided to pardon the two suspended chiefs for peace to reign in the emirate.

Speaking at the pardoning ceremony, the Emir of Zuru said he took the decision because he noticed that there were people using the matter for their personal benefit. “I decided to disappoint them by pardoning the two chiefs. I hope this will serve as deterrence to others,” the emir said.

He enjoined the pardoned chiefs to embark on initiatives that will bring about development, coexistence and peace in their respective domains and the emirate at large.

Also, the chairman of Fakai Local Government Area, Alhaji Rabiu Jarma, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Hamza Balarabe, Alhaji Umar Magaji, Liman Husaini Abubakar and Alhaji Bello Hamidu harped on the need for the pardoned chiefs to commit themselves to absolute loyalty to constituted authority and be patient.

Speaking on behalf of the other chief, the Chief of Danko thanked the Emir, the Kebbi State Governor and stakeholders in the emirate for encouraging the royal father to pardon them.

He assured the emir and council of their readiness to retrace their steps, be loyal, ensure cohesion and smooth working relationship in the emirate.