Re: Jigawa gov suspends Lamido’s son as district head

I am responding to a story which appeared in Daily Trust of Wednesday, February 3, 2016 page 10. Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state’s action of suspending Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of the former governor, and Aminu Wada Abubakar, friend to Mustapha as the heads districts of Bamaina and Kyawa, citing criminal charges against them […]

I am responding to a story which appeared in Daily Trust of Wednesday, February 3, 2016 page 10.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state’s action of suspending Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of the former governor, and Aminu Wada Abubakar, friend to Mustapha as the heads districts of Bamaina and Kyawa, citing criminal charges against them by EFCC before a Federal High Court in Abuja as the reason, is politically motivated.
I also need a legal interpretation whether there is any law above the constitution of Nigeria. Section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution as amended clearly stated that, “If you are under trial before a competent court, you are assumed to be innocent until proved otherwise by the court.” From the legal perspective, there is no law in Nigeria that requires a person who is facing trial before a court to be suspended from any position he is holding simply because he is facing trial in a court.
Therefore, the action of the Jigawa state government to suspend the district head of Bamaina and Kyawa is illogical and had political undertones. It is also targeted to humiliate the former governor, Sule Lamido. If such action by the Jigawa state government has the backing of the constitution, Senator Bukola Sarki should as well be suspended or vacate his office as the President of the Senate till the end of his trial. Governor Badaru should be reminded that humiliation and intimidation are not the tenets of democracy. There is no gainsaying the fact that people of Jigawa have enjoyed the dividends of democracy, peaceful co-existence and societal development during Sule Lamido’s regime.
During the tenure of Sule Lamido as a governor of Jigawa state for eight years (2007-2015), there was no time he attempted to suspend or sack any political or traditional ruler who was standing trial in the court in the state or anywhere in the country.
Lamido’s uncommon commitments mark him out as a purposeful leader. He’s a visionary man reckoned with by all and various people. Lamido’s government has restored confidence, love and hope for the people.
To this respect, I appeal to governor Badaru of Jigawa state to be fair and just, because we are in the new era of democracy and human dignity in Nigeria. He should do everything possible to have a peaceful and a united Jigawa.
Governor Badaru should be reminded that, he needs to embrace all mankind without sentiment. So, let’s give peace a chance. Please reinstate Sule Lamido’s son and his friend. May God help and guide us aright.
Adamu Muhammad Usman, writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State and could be reached at [email protected]