A Kano State Mobile Court has ordered the remand of 632 protesters for allegedly vandalizing public and government properties during the #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest.
The charges against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.
According to the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Salisu Tahir, the alleged offences occurred on August 1, 2024, when the defendants "broke into people’s shops and looted their goods."
The court proceedings were presided over by three senior judicial officers: Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.
The court has adjourned the case until August 19, 2024, for further hearing. The State Attorney General, Haruna Isa-Dederi, noted that due to the large number of defendants, the State Government constituted three mobile courts to expedite the legal process.
He stated, "I pleaded with the Kano State Chief Judge to allow the constitution of three Special Courts within the premises of the state police command because of the number of defendants involved."
The charges brought against the protesters are severe, contravening several sections of the Penal Code, including sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247. While some defendants pleaded guilty, others maintained their innocence. The Ministry of Justice is expected to review the case diary and provide appropriate advice before the next court date.
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