The Sharia Court sitting at the Hisbah headquarters in Kano has ordered the remand of the village head of Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu Local Government, Alhaji Auwal Umar Dantube, after he was arraigned over allegations of defamation and unlawful takeover of property.
The case was brought before Judge Malam Sani Tanimu Sani Hausawa following a petition filed at Zone One Police Headquarters by the family of the late Alhaji Mammada Tamburawa.
The petitioners accused the traditional ruler and his aide, Sulaiman Dogo Matage, of defamation, causing public disturbance, and wrongfully taking over property belonging to orphans.
Initially, the court had issued an arrest warrant against the village head for failing to honour its invitation. But before the police could act on it, his lawyer, Barrister Tijjani Kabir Dukawa, presented him in court.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty. His lawyer then applied for bail, which the judge granted under strict conditions.
The court directed that two sureties must stand for him; one being a close family member or his wife, and the other a ward head or another village head under the Dawakin Kudu District.
Both sureties must also provide proof of government employment and valid identification.
Until those conditions are met, the court ordered that the village head be kept in custody. The matter was adjourned to August 28, 2025, for the complainants to present their witnesses.
One of the orphans behind the petition expressed determination to reclaim their inheritance.
“He has no right to take what belongs to us,” the petitioner said after the court session.
Efforts to get the reaction of the village head’s lawyer were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
