Hunger Protest Under Review As Kano Panel Demands Evidence

The judicial commission of inquiry set up to probe into the causes of breach of peace, wanton destruction of public and private properties, looting, arson, and killings in Kano has called for necessary evidence to aid its report.

Recall that the #Endbadgovernance held between August 1 and 10 went wild in some states of the North, including Kano, resulting in looting, killings and vandalism of public assets.

During the protest, the state High Court with six justices’ offices were vandalised, files of highly placed cases were stolen, including the case involving ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on alleged misappropriation of state funds and a judge’s wig, the oldest printing press in Nigeria was razed and the ICT centre belonging to the Nigerian Communications Commission was equally vandalised by the mob.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Monday, inaugurated a 14-member commission of inquiry to investigate the protests that turned violent in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, Yusuf said the protests started peacefully but were hijacked by enemies of the state.

“It is on notice that I had earlier on before the protests at a town hold meeting in the Government House, before all the stakeholders, acknowledged the constitutionality of the peaceful protests and also pledged to receive them at the Government House.

“From the beginning of the protests, no single protester had any weapons on him from where they converged at Gidan Murtala to the Government House.

“These peaceful protesters were received at the gate of the Government House by security agents but while they were waiting for me to receive them, we had an unfortunate situation with hundreds of other dangerous persons with weapons coming to the gathering, attacking peaceful protesters,” he said.

At its inaugural meeting held at the state High Court, Miller Road, Kano, on Thursday, the commission’s chairman, Justice Lawan Mohammed (retd), sought media support for the task.

“We, therefore, appeal to the general public to be bold enough and support the commission with relevant evidence and facts that will assist in preparing our reports, including far-reaching recommendations that will aid in forestalling the recurrence of such incidents in the future,” Justice Lawan (retd) said.

He called on the general public to support the commission with relevant evidence and facts that would assist in preparing its report, including far-reaching recommendations.

Justice Lawan also urged the media to be objective and fair in reporting the commission’s proceedings.