By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, on Friday, July 24, 2025, insisted that he has no record of personal or official affliction with an alleged notorious drug peddler, Suleiman Dannwanu.
The Source reports that Namadi had stood as a surety for Danwanu in a celebrated trial at a Federal High Court sitting in Kano, after being granted bail by Justice M S Shuiabu on July 17 2025.
Danwanu is being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over his alleged involvement in some high profile drug related Offences.
He is widely alleged to be one of the serial and notorious players in the ever complex and thriving hard drug peddling business in the commercial nerve centre of Northern region.
Expectedly, the Commissioner, since after signing Danwanu’s stringent bail bonds, has come under intense scrutiny and suspicion, a development which has greatly robbed off on his person and that of the Kano State Government in which he is a Cabinet member.
Some of the critics have tended to question his real motive for standing as a surety for someone whose business activities are generally considered to be utterly inimical to the health of Kano youths and the image of Kano state, especially, at a time the State Government is fighting hard to eradicate the menace of drug abuse among the youth.
Kano, unarguably, tops the list of Northern states in the growing and perversive hard drug business, with its youth severely affected.
But in a statement on Friday, July 25, 3025 the embattled Commissioner stated that his decision to stand as surety only came after some respected and trusted individuals had vouched for the accused’s character.
This is as he noted that it is not illegal for anyone to stand as surety for an accused who has been duly granted bail by a Court of competent jurisdiction.
“Accordingly, it is important to state clearly that my involvement in this matter was not based on any personal relationship ,or affiliation with the suspect, but was done in good faith.
“For context, the presiding judge M S Shuiabu, in his wisdom, granted the suspect bail after listening to the application by his lawyers on July, 17.
“It is also important to state that granting bail in such cases is a legitimate court process, as suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Also, considering that part of the bail condition requires a surety from the Kano state Executive Council, some trusted individuals approached, and pleaded for my intervention. They vouched for him, and I innocently obliged.
“At no point was I aware of the gravity of his alleged criminal activities, or his controversial profile”, Namadi explained.
He, however, expressed deep shock and surprise over the recent revelations concerning the suspect.
While maintaining his innocence in the whole bail incident, the Commissioner acknowledged the tremendous efforts and resources so far committed by the Kano State Government in ensuring that the youths are protected from the dangerous activities of hard drug dealers .
Particularly, he admitted that so much resources have been expended by the State in rehabilitating Kano youths who had fallen victims of drug abuse.
“The values I hold do not, in any way, align with shielding criminal elements, undermining our justice, or sabotaging efforts and hard work of the state Government.
“I have requested legal advice from my lawyers on the next line of action and possible withdrawal of my surety.
“I deeply regret this unfortunate incident and wish to assure the Government ,and good people of Kano State that I remain firmly committed to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
“I will never sabotage, nor support any efforts that seek to undermine the fight against drug abuse, thuggery and other vices threatening the peace and stability of our dear State”, the statement reads in part .
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