Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Kano State High Court on Wednesday, following its vandalism, looting, and destruction during the recent nationwide hunger protests that escalated into violence in parts of Northern Nigeria.
Expressing deep regret over the invasion, Governor Yusuf condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine justice in Kano. “The hired miscreants carted away corruption charges documents on former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who has been facing multiple charges before the state high court,” Yusuf lamented.
During his visit, the governor was accompanied 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, who guided him through the ravaged court premises.
In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, Yusuf accused the “enemies of Kano State” of hiring “undesirable elements” to sabotage one of the state’s most historic public buildings. He highlighted that the damage was extensive, with the hoodlums destroying virtually all units of the high court, including the office of the state’s Chief Judge. The loss, which included stolen office equipment, damaged offices, and burnt vehicles, was estimated to exceed N1 billion.
Governor Yusuf called on Kano’s youth to reject those who would incite them to violence, urging them instead to focus on skills acquisition for a better future. He assured them of his administration’s support in this endeavour.
In response to the attack, Yusuf ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the courthouse and the enhancement of security measures to ensure the continued delivery of justice. He also extended his sympathies to the Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, and the entire judiciary, describing the incident as a “tragic and ugly event.”
The governor praised the people of Kano for their ongoing support of his administration and expressed his hope that peace, stability, and economic prosperity would continue to prevail in the state.
Earlier, on August 4, the management of the state high court issued a statement lamenting the invasion and vandalism of the court. An investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Baba Ibrahim, the court’s spokesperson, recalled that on August 1, rioters claiming to be #EndBadGovernment protesters stormed the high court’s headquarters. The protesters vandalised offices, stole an unspecified amount of money, and took guns that had been seized from kidnappers and stored as evidence in ongoing cases.
“Private and official vehicles parked within the court premises were also razed or vandalised by the protesters,” Ibrahim stated. “Offices, including those of the Chief Judge and other judges, were ransacked. New and old case files were destroyed, and exhibits, including firearms, were looted from the court’s store. This is the first time the Kano State Judiciary has witnessed such an incident.”
