Kano Court Remands 632 Vandalism During #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protest

A Kano State Mobile Court, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 632 individuals accused of vandalizing public and government property during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

The defendants face charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.

The court, overseen by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Dandago, has scheduled the next hearing for August 19.

State Director of Public Prosecution, Salisu Tahir, informed the court that the alleged offenses occurred during the nationwide protest on August 1. Tahir claimed that the defendants trespassed and damaged government and public properties, and “broke into people’s shops and looted their goods.”

The prosecution cited violations of sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code. While some defendants admitted guilt, others denied the charges.

Following the court session, State Attorney General Haruna Dederi revealed that the government has established three mobile courts to handle the cases.

“I pleaded with the Kano State Chief Judge to allow the creation of three Special Courts at the state police command due to the large number of defendants,” Dederi said. He also noted that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diary and provide appropriate guidance before the next court date.