Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the Kano State High Court on Wednesday, following its recent vandalization, looting, and burning during the violent hunger protests that erupted in parts of the North.
During his visit, Governor Yusuf expressed deep regret over the destruction caused by hoodlums, lamenting that the attackers specifically targeted and made off with critical documents related to corruption charges against former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The former governor is facing multiple corruption charges in the state high court.
A statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, detailed that Yusuf was accompanied on the inspection by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, the Chief Registrar of the high court, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, and several judges.
“It is very unfortunate that enemies of Kano State hired undesirable elements to vandalize one of our historic public buildings, with the aim of undermining the corruption charges against the acting National Chairman of the APC and former governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his family, and aides,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The statement further revealed that the hoodlums caused extensive damage throughout the court complex, including the office of the state Chief Judge. The destruction, which involved the theft of office equipment, the burning of cars, and the wrecking of crucial legal materials, is estimated to have resulted in losses exceeding N1 billion.
Governor Yusuf urged the youth of Kano State to avoid being exploited by those seeking to incite violence, and instead focus on acquiring skills to improve their future, assuring them of the government’s support. He also announced the immediate rehabilitation of the courthouse and ordered the deployment of additional security to ensure the effective administration of justice.
The governor extended his sympathies to the Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, and the entire judiciary, describing the incident as a grave and unfortunate event.
The governor also expressed his gratitude to the people of Kano State for their continued support and cooperation with his administration, praying for ongoing peace, stability, prosperity, and economic development in the state.
Earlier, the management of the Kano State High Court, through its spokesperson Baba Ibrahim, condemned the invasion and vandalism in a statement issued on August 4. Ibrahim recounted that on August 1, rioters, claiming to be #EndBadGovernment protesters, stormed the high court premises, looting offices, destroying property, and making off with guns seized from kidnappers, which were being held as evidence in ongoing cases.
“The protesters razed private and official vehicles, vandalized offices, including those of the Chief Judge and other judges, and looted exhibits, including firearms kept in the court’s store,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that this incident marks the first time the Kano State Judiciary has experienced such a severe attack, and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
