Patrick Aduak
In a press statement signed by Mr. Illiyasu Usman and issued to the press by the youths of Gidan Jibir community in Sabon Sarki District of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a mild protest outside High Court 10, Barnawa premises, the group reaffirmed its support for the Ham traditional leaders and traditional institution on thier decision concerning the burial of their late uncle, Capt. Saleh Usman.
The statement went further, saying, We were here about a month ago protesting the flagrant abuse of our Ham customs and traditions by the duo of Ms Christie Yori, Mr. Tori Yori, Haj. Zainabu and one Mrs Ladi Pati. These people have consistently worked towards distorting the peace and harmony of Gidan Jibir community.
Unfortunately, We got the sad news of the demise of our daughter Haj. Zainabu on Sunday 14th April, 2024. in far away America. The youths of Gidan Jibir wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Mal. Usman Fugyom family and her immediate family, may her soul rest in peace, Amen.
These same set of people conspired to first deny our uncle proper medical attention (despite sustained efforts by his family to fly him abroad for proper medical care) which is alleged to have led to his untimely death, then they went ahead to confiscate his corpse away from his family. To make matters worse, they approached the courts Six months after tradition has taken its course and burial of our brother done according to our customs and traditions, seeking reliefs that they have no rights to.
We say they have no rights seeking any of the reliefs they are asking from the courts because
<span;>- Ms Christie Yori was never married to our brother. infact we do not know her in our land.
<span;>- Mr. Tori Yori is not the son of our late brother, even though his mother Ms. Christie Yori a native of Gwong land tried without success to foist him on our brother Capt. Saleh.
<span;>- Mrs Ladi Pati and Late Haj. Zainabu(may God rest her soul) are a niece and sister respectively of late Capt. Usman, but they have both proven to be unworthy daughters of Hamland.
We find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the above mentioned persons conspired to cause us this much pain and grief. We have continually and relentlessly pleaded with our youths to maintain calm and pursue this issue with utmost civility and respect for the laws of our land. The consistent protest is aimed at telling the world how we feel and communicate the cries of our people back home.
It can be recalled that, the Applicant had filed a suit at High Court 10, Barnawa, Kaduna, challenging the decision of the traditional council in Sabon Sarki District, to bury an empty casket against the reposed body of late Captain Saleh Usman and also seeking the court to redirect the traditional council to bury the deceased whose corpse is still languishing in the mortuary.
His Lordship Justice Bashir Shitu Yusuf of High Court 10, Barnawa has adjourned the case to 7th May, 2024 for substantive hearing into the matter.
