A day after the Jigawa State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal Sankara, was acquitted of adultery charges by an Upper Shariah Court in Kano, the police arrested Nasir Buba, the estranged husband of the commissioner’s alleged lover, Tasleem Baba-Nabegu.
According to Daily Nigerian, Buba was apprehended on Tuesday outside his lawyer’s office in Kano. The arrest reportedly stems from accusations of cyberstalking his wife during his pursuit of justice against Sankara.
Background of the Case
The controversy began when Nasir Buba filed a complaint with Kano State Hisbah operatives, alleging that Sankara was involved in an extramarital affair with his wife, Tasleem. Acting on the complaint, Hisbah arrested Sankara, leading to a case filed in an Upper Shariah Court.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the presiding judge, Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence. The judgment relied on the findings of an investigation by the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 1, Kano, which concluded that there was no substantial evidence to support the adultery allegations.
Buba’s Arrest
The day after Sankara’s acquittal, the Kano State police arrested Buba. Sources familiar with the case claim the arrest followed allegations that Buba retrieved and disseminated evidence from his wife’s phone—such as videos, pictures, chats, and voice recordings—to substantiate his claims against Sankara.
A source close to Buba expressed concerns about the arrest, accusing the police of bias. “It is clear the police are biased. Nasir presented substantial evidence of the alleged affair, yet the commissioner was cleared, and now the complainant is being arrested for cyberstalking,” the source stated.
Police Response
When contacted, Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, said he had not been briefed on Buba’s arrest. “I have not been briefed about this development. Even the previous matter was handled by the AIG office in Zone 1. I will confirm if this arrest occurred,” he said, promising further clarification.
Sankara Reinstated
Following his acquittal, the Jigawa State Government announced the reinstatement of Commissioner Auwal Sankara on Tuesday. The government expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing it as a vindication of Sankara’s integrity.
This case has sparked public debate, with critics questioning the impartiality of law enforcement in handling the matter. Observers are also raising concerns over the growing trend of arrests for cyberstalking, particularly in cases where evidence of wrongdoing is sourced through digital means.
The arrest of Nasir Buba has intensified discussions about the intersection of law, privacy, and justice in Nigeria, with many calling for a transparent and unbiased resolution of the case.
