Kano commissioner stands as surety, secures bail for notorious drug dealer

The Commissioner for Transport in Kano State, Ibrahim Namadi, has acted as surety for an alleged notorious drug trafficker, Suleiman Danwawu.

The commissioner stepped in to meet the stringent bail conditions imposed by Justice M.S. Shu’aibu, known for his firm judicial approach. On Wednesday, July 16, the judge granted bail on the condition that the accused produce a serving commissioner from the Kano State Executive Council as surety and deposit the sum of N5 million.

What was anticipated to be a challenging task securing a cabinet member in Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration to stand as surety was resolved when  Namadi submitted an affidavit of means and a written request to the court, offering to take on the role.

In a letter dated Friday, July 18, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Kano, Namadi formally applied to serve as surety for Danwawu.

The letter stated: “I humbly wish to apply to stand as surety for the Defendant in the above suit (SULAIMAN AMINU), who was granted bail by this Honourable Court in the sum of Three Million Naira only (N3,000,000.00), and one surety in the like sum. Also, the Defendant shall deposit N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only, which shall be placed in an interest yielding Account.

“I undertake to abide by the bail conditions imposed on the Defendant and promise to produce him before the Court on all adjourned dates until the final determination of the case. I hope my application will be considered.”

This is in response to the case filed on Wednesday, May 21, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) brought an eight-count charge against Danwawu at the Federal High Court in Kano, alleging his involvement in drug trafficking.

He was arraigned on Wednesday, May 28, after which the court adjourned the matter to Saturday, June 16, for the hearing of his bail application. In the meantime, he was ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

Given the significant public interest surrounding the case, the Kano branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) announced its intention to closely observe the trial proceedings involving Danwawu.