Public Outrage: Kano Commissioner Withdraws Surety For Suspected Drug Kingpin

Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi has withdrawn as surety for Sulaiman Aminu Danwawu, a suspected drug trafficker standing trial before the Federal High Court in Kano.

The withdrawal comes barely a day after public backlash trailed the revelation by an online newspaper that a serving government official had stood surety for a man facing serious drug-related offences.

LEADERSHIP reports that Danwawu was arrested in May 2025 by police in Tudun Yola, Gwale Local Government Area, and later transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) where he was charged with unlawful possession, and dealing in various controlled substances.

Danwawu was arraigned on May 28, 2025, and granted bail on July 16 with stringent conditions, one of which required a serving commissioner to stand as surety.

Court records shared by the online platform showed that Namadi submitted an affidavit and a formal application to act as surety, which was accepted by the court.

However, the disclosure triggered widespread condemnation from Kano residents and netizens, who accused the commissioner of enabling impunity and undermining the fight against drug abuse in the state.

In a swift response to the outrage, through a letter dated July 25 and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Kano, Namadi rescinded his decision.

The letter which was stamped and acknowledged by the court read: “I hereby intend to withdraw as a surety of the above-mentioned person who is standing trial before this honourable court of the alleged offence.

My withdrawal is based on personal grounds and also to protect my image and dignity as a public servant,” the Commissioner said.

The commissioner, in a separate statement claimed that he had no personal relationship with the suspect, but was misled by close individuals who approached him to assist in meeting the bail conditions.

“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.

“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,” Namadi said.

With the commissioner’s withdrawal, it is unclear if the court will allow Danwawu to remain on bail or revoke the order pending the provision of a new surety.