The Sharia Court sitting at the Hisbah headquarters in Kano has ordered the remand of the Village Head of Tamburawa in Dawakin Kudu Local Government, Alhaji Auwal Umar Dantube, over allegations of defamation and unlawful takeover of property.

The case was presented before Judge Malam Sani Tanimu Sani Hausawa following a petition filed 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 illegally seizing property belonging to orphans.

Earlier, the court had issued a warrant of arrest against the village head for failing to appear after being summoned. However, his lawyer, Barrister Tijjani Kabir Dukawa, later presented him before the court.

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty. His lawyer requested bail, which the court granted under strict conditions. The court ruled that:

Two sureties must stand for him.

One must be a close family member or his wife.

The other must be a ward head or another village head under the Dawakin Kudu District.

Both sureties must also show proof of government employment and valid identification.

Until these conditions are fulfilled, the court ordered that the village head remain in custody. The matter was adjourned to August 28, 2025, for the complainants to bring forward their witnesses.

Speaking after the court session, one of the orphans behind the petition vowed to pursue justice, insisting:

“He has no right to take what belongs to us.”

Efforts to get a comment from the village head’s lawyer were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.