News
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
By Bodunrin Kayode
On Friday, the Court of appeal discharged and acquitted Prof Solomon Tarfa, who had been imprisoned on charges of forgery by a Kano High Court.
Tarfa’s incarceration and vindication on appeal was the second time in 22 years of persecution by Kano state government for running a Christian orphanage in the state.
Tarfa had similarly been charged with running a fake orphanage in year 2000 by a mobile magistrate court which conviction was overturned on appeal to the high court.
Almost 20 years later on Christmas Day, 2019 Kano state again arrested him and charged him for the same offense contrary to the law against double jeopardy.
According to the Presiding Justice of the court of appeal Kano, Justice Mbaba the evidence of a grown former orphan at DuMerci was helpful to the appeal.
“I believe that was the evidence that formed the basis on which the charges of abduction and kidnaping against Appellant were dismissed, as the evidence of the Prosecution, rather presented Appellant as a man on the role of honour and fame, instead of infamy, in my opinion.”
His Lordship concluded that,
“I set aside the conviction of the Appellant, and hold that this case was very unfortunate, going by the evidence of PW1, I cannot understand why it was taken out, in the first place, against the Appellant. Appellant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the said charge.”
According to International human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe who was part of a global advocacy effort for Prof Tarfa, “this was an outstanding verdict from the court of appeal. The court rightly noted that this was an honorable man conducting humanitarian deeds and this case should never have been brought against him as I stated previously.
“At a time when paid professors were on strike for better conditions, Prof Tarfa had committed his life to catering for unwanted babies. Rather than receive a national honor, he was imprisoned on fake charges.
“What a country! Kano state is an embarrassment to religious freedom in Nigeria.
“I commend my learned colleague Sunny Akanni and his team for a successful outing and urge Kano state to release the Christian orphans they took and islamized since 2019.”
Ogebe added, “I want to alert my Lords Justices in Nigeria that they too and not just politicians are subject to scrutiny and visa bans by the United States government for anti-democratic and unjust rulings.
“That notwithstanding I want to be clear that the US failed by not designating Nigeria a country of particular concern (CPC) for religious persecution when Kano state’s actions against prof Tarfa amongst others prove that terrorists are not Nigeria’s only problem.
“It’s unfortunate that Prof Tarfa missed the wedding of one of the orphans he raised during his time in prison. I hope Kano state will stop the persecution.”
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Adara Development Association (ADA) has expressed deep shock and sadness over a deadly attack by unknown gunmen on Wakeh community in Agunu Ward, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to a statement by the ADA National Publicity Secretary, Livinus Paul Magaji, heavily armed attackers invaded the village, blocking entrance routes to prevent possible assistance from neighbouring communities.
The assault left eight people dead and nine others seriously injured. Victims were reportedly given mass burial, while the injured are receiving treatment at St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Alheri Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Kachia. Several properties, including a bus, were destroyed, causing millions of naira in losses.
The association noted that such attacks have become increasingly frequent in Adara communities since, despite the presence of security in the area. ADA strongly condemned the violence, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.
“ADA leadership calls on the Kaduna State Government and other relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect lives and property and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement said.
It added that the Adara community is ready to collaborate with government and security agencies to curb the ongoing attacks.
The association also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to those injured, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
ADA reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and called on all indigenes and residents of Adara land to work with government and stakeholders to build sustainable peace in the region.
The Kaduna state government are yet to visit the affected communities or make any statement on the attack.
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
A Deputy Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has accidentally shot and killed a colleague in Life Camp, Abuja, security sources confirmed.
The sources told Zagazola Makama that at about 10:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 7, DSC Adekunle Emmanuel was accidentally shot on the left upper arm above the bicep by fellow Operative while en route to a principal’s residence at Lias Estate from Corner View Hotel.
The victim was immediately rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, the sources added.
NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja
Decomposed body of man found in car at National Assembly Complex , Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
The decomposed body of a 55-year-old man has been discovered in a car parked outside the annex gate of the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the police have confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Gaddafi Iwar, a Tiv man suspected to be a labourer at a construction site within the complex, was found motionless in a red Peugeot 406 with registration number BWR-577 BF at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7.
The body was evacuated to the National Assembly Clinic for medical confirmation and later conveyed to Asokoro General Hospital, but was rejected due to advanced decomposition.
The Tiv community and youth leaders eventually took the body to Gbawu Village, a border town between AMAC and Kuje Area Council, for burial to prevent a health hazard.
Decomposed body of man found in car at National Assembly Complex , Abuja
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
Residents of Kachia call for media attention as bandit attacks escalate
NSCDC officer accidentally shoots colleague dead in Life Camp, Abuja
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
News5 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
