Kehinde Fajobi
A Kano Upper Shari’a Court in Kofar Kudu will begin hearing on Tuesday in a criminal complaint of alleged adultery involving suspended Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Danladi Sankara, and a woman, Tasleem Baba Nabegu.
The court, presided over by Ustaz Ibrahim Sarki Yola, will handle the case filed by the woman’s husband, Alhaji Nasiru Buba.
Buba claims that Sankara and his wife, Tasleem, who is the mother of his two children, have been involved in an illicit affair, which is a violation of Islamic law. He is seeking a court-ordered investigation into their relationship for possible criminal prosecution.
Last week, the Kano State Hisbah Board reportedly arrested Sankara in an uncompleted building he owns in Nassarawa GRA, Kano, with a married woman. This led to his suspension by Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, who also initiated a panel to investigate the matter.
The court had initially scheduled the hearing for Monday but postponed it to Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Buba’s lawyer, Haruna Magashi, clarified the complaint: “Our client is urging the court to investigate the relationship between his wife and the defendant over the alleged commission of a crime for criminal prosecution or otherwise.”
Sankara’s lawyer, Shehu Suleiman, said his client was surprised by reports of his arrest.
“It is important for journalists and the public to note that this is a ‘direct criminal complaint’ filed by the complainant, not by the Kano State Hisbah Board,” he explained.
Suleiman stressed that Sankara maintains his innocence and is eager to clear his name in court.