How NNPP, Governor’s Supporters Drove Us Out Of Kano – Tribunal Judges Speak

How NNPP, Governor’s Supporters Drove Us Out Of Kano – Tribunal Judges Speak

The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which recently nullified the declaration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the winner of the March election, strongly rebuked his supporters for resorting to threats against the panelists during the trial.

The tribunal condemned the actions of these supporters, accusing them of effectively ‘expelling’ the panelists from Kano. Such behavior was deemed akin to terrorism and anarchy.

It emphasized that no principled judge would forsake the pursuit of justice due to intimidation.

In a separate development, a similar tribunal in Benue State affirmed the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Justice Benson Anya, a member of the Kano State tribunal, underscored in his ruling that it was entirely inappropriate for any individual or group to resort to threats of violence, potentially jeopardizing the peace of Kano State, in response to a court decision.

Justice Anya’s judgment is detailed from page 225 to page 228 in the tribunal’s comprehensive verdict.

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He said:”The judges of this tribunal were harassed, intimidated and made to run under cover. What is the offence of the judiciary?

“The Respondents contributed heavily to the success of this petition. At the pleading stage they made critical admissions. At the trial stage they supplied critical and important documents. Yet at the judgment stage the 2nd Respondent (Yusuf) does not want this tribunal to stand by justice by stating the truth of the matter.

“They took the position as was widely reported in the media both print and social that if they lose the case, they will kill the judges and put the residents of Kano on fire.

“We are also citizens of this country in Kano to discharge our lawful duties. We have not committed any offence by performing our duty at adjudication.

“My message to the bandits in politics who want to take power by force is that the judiciary cannot be intimidated. The judiciary will never run away from justice.

“A party who loses a case or anticipates the loss of his case can only prepare to appeal against the decision of the lower court or prepare to appeal. This is what is obtainable in a civilised society.

“Kano State, as we all know, is a cradle of civilization. No party on account of losing a case or on the basis of speculation of the possible loss of a case threatens to go on the rampage against the Court and Honourable Judges.

“It is wrong to threaten the entire polity of Kano State with violence. A party must not threaten terrorism and mayhem on the people.

“The decision of the court must not be taken personal as to warrant an attack and violence against the Judiciary functionaries as threatened by the agents of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents.”

He condemned “the gang of Red Cap wearers who, like a violent and terrorist cult, chased us out of Kano and put us in the fear of our lives.

“We believe that only Allah is the giver of power.”

Continuing, Justice Anya said: “Those who believe in Allah must bow to his will and submit to the authority of governmental power.

“Resort to anarchy, violence and killing can never be a source of lawful power.

“Threatening to put Honourable Judges in the danger of their life as done in Kano by some disgruntled bandits parading as politicians is hereby condemned.

“Every judge worth his salt will always abandon and ignore any form of threat to stand by justice and pronounce justice.

“This tribunal in the lead judgment has pronounced judgment, and we stand by justice.

“I concur with the lead judgment and commend my Lord the chairman for delivering judgment under the threatened fire and brimstone by bitter losers.

“There is always another day for politics.

“I am in no doubt that the security agencies know and are aware of those who removed their eyes from their case and put it on the judiciary.

“They are also aware of those who extended the threat further by declaring that they will kill the judges.

“This threat must not be swept under the carpet.

“Instead of some Kano politicians to be allowed to use banditry and violence to abort democracy in Kano State, justice will be used to stop them from destroying democracy in Kano and upward.

“We do not want anarchy and terrorism as being promoted in Kano State and as threatened by them.

“As human beings and citizens of this country, we love our lives.

“Nobody must be allowed to threaten to put our lives in jeopardy because we are judges charged by law to do justice.

“We are under the protection of Allah first and of the law.”

The threats were the main reason the judgment was delivered by Zoom.

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