KANO COURT DETAINS 632 PROTESTERS

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On Tuesday, Kano Mobile Court in Kano State ordered the detention of 632 protesters accused of vandalizing public and government properties during the #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest.

The charges against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, incitement to disturb the peace, trespassing, and arson.

The court session was overseen by three senior judicial officers: Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago. The court adjourned the hearing to August 19.

Earlier, State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Salisu Tahir informed the court that the defendants committed the alleged offenses on August 1.

He claimed that during the #Endbadgovernance protest on that date, the defendants trespassed and vandalized government and public properties in the state.

“The defendants broke into people’s shops and looted their goods,” the DPP told the court.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code.

While some of the defendants pleaded guilty, others pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Speaking to newsmen, the State Attorney General, Mr Haruna Isa-Dederi, said the state government constituted three mobile courts to prosecute the defendants after the court sitting.

“I pleaded with the Kano State Chief Judge to allow the constitution of three special courts within the premises of the state police command because of the number of defendants involved.”

Isa-Dederi noted that the case diary would be studied and appropriate advice given by the Ministry of Justice before the next adjourned date.