Mr Uba Sani, Special Adviser to Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has said that he will sue the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, for defamation over a land grab case instituted against him (Mr Uba Sani).
He issued the threat yesterday after a Kaduna Magistrate Court dismissed the case instituted against him by members of Gidan Daji Community for alleged inflicting of injury, wreaking of havoc and attempt to forcefully demolish their houses based on claims that he had acquired the land.
Magistrate Mohammed Auwal Yusuf of Magistrate Court II, Gabasawa, Kaduna, yesterday in his ruling struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction and lack of proper representation.
Among the synopsis of argument of the defence council submitted before the judgment was that the complainant/respondent is not known to law and that Gidan Daji community has no locus standi to file such a case.
Even though Senator Shehu Sani was not joined in the suit, Mr Uba Sani in an interview inside the court premises shortly after the ruling vowed to sue him for alleged instigation and sponsorship of the community.
Mr Uba Sani, who was represented by his political aide, Hon. Abdulrahman Tonga, said several attempts to resolve the matter amicably with the parties failed. He said: “We found out that, specifically, Senator Shehu Sani has interest to sponsor this case. This will not be in the interest of the masses.
“Shehu Sani is trying to politicise the matter; we want to tell him that it will not work.
“Therefore, with this ruling of the magistrate court, all those involved including Sen Shehu Sani will be sued for defamation of character.”
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Henry Uzoma Obimba, while responding to the judgment in an interview with journalists said his client will do the needful. “All our effort is to ensure that the downtrodden are not being rubbished. Everybody in Nigeria is equal and the law protects whoever it is.
“So, in this case we will proceed from here. This also sent a signal to both the complainant and the defendant on what to do. There is always the upper court if the lower court did not conform to the law, we will proceed ahead.
“As at the time we find the case, there was no synchronisation of who is to appear and that exactly where the problem is.”
Counsel to Uba Sani, Barrister Abdulrauf Atiku, in his own reaction said his client intends to seek redress based on the ruling of the court. “We have to follow it to the logical conclusion because to us we feel this is something that, if we don’t take the necessary action, it will remain unfinished. It is better for us to go to the right court, institute the action so that the matter can be determined once and for all. In fact, we are suing any other person that is involved in this case,” he said.
Senator Shehu Sani in his reaction through his Special Assistant on Politics and Ideology, Malam Suleiman Ahmed, said the Senator is not the plaintiff in the case. His words: “This shows the level of ignorant of those around the governor.
“El-Rufai and his aides are just suffering from Senatorphobia or Comradephobia. If they catch cold or fever, it is the Senator.
“The desperation and cowardly attitude of the aides is not giving a good image to the leadership or governorship in the state. This attitude of the aides clearly shows that they cannot withstand scrutiny or simple criticism from the people.
“They see the Senator in their dreams, in their toilet, in their dining room and all through their activities of Government House.”
He added: “Senator Sani is the first, second and third agenda of this administration.
“We advise El-Rufai to face the several challenges confronting our people. Issues of workers in general, health and failure of our hospital, joblessness and critically look at area to build hope for the electorate in Kaduna State.” (News Express)