Kano commissioner makes new decision on bail role for alleged drug kingpin ‘Danwawu’

The Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, has taken formal steps to relinquish his role as surety for an alleged drug trafficker, Sulaiman Aminu—widely known as “Danwawu”, who is currently standing trial on drug-related charges before the Federal High Court in Kano.

In a correspondence sent to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Kano Division, Namadi requested to be excused from the responsibility he previously assumed in the ongoing criminal proceedings, filed under suit number FHC/KN/CR/93/2025: Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Sulaiman Aminu.

“I hereby intend to withdraw as a surety of the above mentioned person who is standing trial before this honourable court for the alleged offence,” Namadi stated in the letter.

Although he refrained from offering detailed reasons for the decision, the commissioner cited “personal grounds” and a desire “to protect my image and dignity as a public servant.”

Namadi had earlier stood as the guarantor for Danwawu, having met the stringent bail terms outlined by the court.

According to court documents seen by Daily Nigerian on Friday, the accused was granted bail on July 17, 2025, in the amount of ₦3,000,000.00, with a requirement that one surety—who must be a sitting commissioner and member of the Kano State Executive Council—stand in the same amount.

In addition, the court directed the defendant to deposit ₦5,000,000.00 into an interest-bearing account under the custody of the Deputy Chief Registrar.

In a sworn affidavit dated July 18, 2025, Namadi declared: “I am a current serving Commissioner and a member of the Kano State Executive Council working with the Kano State Ministry of Transport.

“I am here to stand as surety for the Defendant in this case. I undertake to abide by the bail conditions and promise to produce the Defendant on adjournment date(s) until the case is finally disposed off.

“I make this affidavit conscientiously believing the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge and by virtue of the provision of the Oath Act 2004.”

In his original application to act as surety—also addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar—he wrote: “I humbly wish to apply to stand as surety for the Defendant in the above suit (SULAIMAN AMINU) who was granted bail by this Honourable Court in the sum of Three Million Naira only (3,000,000.00) and one surety in the like sum also the Defendant shall deposit N 5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only which shall be placed in an interest yielding Account.

“I undertake to abide by the bail conditions imposed on the Defendant and promise to produce him before the Court on all adjourned dates until the final determination of the case.”

Supporting paperwork titled Notification for Fulfilment of Bail Conditions verified compliance with the bail terms and confirmed receipt of the necessary documentation.

The note concluded: “In view of the above, I hereby certify that the said bail condition has been satisfied accordingly. It is hereby submitted for your Lordship consideration and approval, please.”

In May, the Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), through its public relations officer Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, described Aminu as a longstanding actor in the illicit drug trade, allegedly overseeing a network contributing to widespread drug abuse and insecurity across Kano and neighboring states.