A Kano State High Court has dismissed allegations made by Surajo Isa Yarima, who accused the court of unlawfully auctioning his property and leaving his family homeless.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the court’s Head of Public Relations, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, described Yarima’s claims as baseless and an attempt to tarnish the court’s reputation.
The controversy began after a Magistrate Court, in December 2023, ordered Yarima to pay N355,000 to a plaintiff. When Yarima failed to comply, the judgment creditor moved to recover the debt by attaching his movable properties, which were insufficient. Consequently, the creditor applied for the attachment and auction of Yarima’s immovable property, a request the High Court approved following due process.
“All actions taken by the court in this matter were in accordance with the law and principles of justice,” Ibrahim stated.
The court emphasized that Yarima had been served hearing notices and given sufficient opportunity to challenge the application, but he failed to respond. The statement also refuted Yarima’s claims that his property was hastily sold and left his family homeless.
“Investigations revealed that the property was rented to a tenant at the time of the sale, and Yarima’s family was never evicted. The only item found in the house after the auction was a single mattress,” Ibrahim clarified.
The court also addressed a petition by Yarima’s wife, who claimed ownership of the property. Her case was dismissed after evidence showed that the sale agreements she presented did not pertain to the auctioned property.
“An internal investigation led by the Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, extended to the property’s location and surrounding neighborhood. The findings confirmed that Yarima and his family lived in a neighboring house, which he later sold and used to renovate the auctioned property in an attempt to mislead the public.
“The allegations were unequivocally disproved. Yarima’s actions were an effort to deceive the public,” the statement noted.
The court warned that making false accusations against public institutions is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code. It also stated its readiness to take legal action if necessary.
“It is disheartening that the judiciary, in the lawful execution of its duties, is subjected to baseless attacks. Such claims undermine public trust and disrupt the integrity of institutions tasked with upholding justice,” Ibrahim added.
The court urged media organizations to verify information before publication to avoid spreading misinformation and harming the reputation of public institutions.
“Inaccurate reporting damages reputations and disrupts the sanctity of institutions like the High Court, which play a vital role in administering justice. The Kano State Judiciary remains open for clarifications to ensure accurate and truthful dissemination of information,” the statement concluded.
The High Court reaffirmed its dedication to justice and transparency in all its operations.
