An Upper Shari’a Court sitting at Kofar Kudu in Kano has ordered a temporary suspension of the sale of properties belonging to a prominent businessman, Alhaji Isma’ila Mai Biskit, following a suit filed by some of his family members.
The case was brought by some of Mai Biskit’s siblings, who are asking the court to restrain him from disposing of his assets. They alleged that certain individuals, acting in collaboration with some of his children, are exerting undue influence on him to sell the properties inappropriately.
According to the claimants, some of the assets are being sold at prices far below their value, while rents from other properties are allegedly being collected without proper accountability.
They also expressed concern over what they described as suspicious dealings in the management of the businessman’s wealth.
The siblings said the matter had earlier been reported to the office of the Inspector-General of Police, where similar complaints were raised about the handling of their father’s assets and his general welfare.
In earlier proceedings, some family members alleged that Mai Biskit was mentally unfit to independently manage his affairs. They also claimed that two of his sons, Aminu and Bilya, allegedly took him to Germany using his funds under the guise of assessing his mental condition.
Mai Biskit, however, denied the allegations when he appeared before the court, insisting that he is mentally sound and fully aware of his actions. He maintained that no one has the right to interfere with how he uses his wealth.
At the last sitting on Wednesday, counsel to the respondents, Barrister Umar Usman Danbaito, rejected claims that Aminu and Bilya manipulated or held their father against his will. He explained that the trip to Germany was solely for medical treatment and not for mental evaluation.
Danbaito further stated that his clients are not claiming their father is mentally unstable. He sought the court’s permission to present a medical report confirming Mai Biskit’s mental fitness and requested time to study the case file. The court granted the applications.
Defence counsel, Barrister Umar I. Umar, told the court that the applicants are not alleging insanity but insisted that Mai Biskit is being influenced to sell his properties. He urged the court to restrain him from further sales pending the determination of the suit.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Ibrahim Sani Sarki Yola, ordered Alhaji Isma’ila Mai Biskit to suspend the sale of his properties pending the outcome of the case. The matter was adjourned to February 2 for continuation.
