Arraigned protesters in Kano court 2
#Endbadgovernance protests: Court arraigns 632 protesters for vandalism, looting in Kano
Kano Mobile Court has ordered the remand of 632 protesters for their alleged involvement in the vandalism and looting of key government infrastructure following the nationwide protests by residents of the state demanding an end to hunger and bad governance nationwide.
Tagged; #Endbadgovernance protest, protesters in Kano allegedly looted and vandalized the state’s properties during the nationwide protest.
The arraigned 632 protesters now defendants, including some minors, were also charged with criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass and mischief by fire.
The court was presided over by three senior judicial officers, including; Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago, respectively.
The court adjourned sitting until August 19, for further hearing.
Earlier, the State Director Public Prosecution (DPP), Salisu Tahir, informed the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences on August1, just as he further alleged that on the same date the defendants during the #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest, trespassed, vandalised government and public properties in the state.
“The defendants broke into people’s shops and looted their goods,” the DPP told the court.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provision of sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349 and 247 of the Penal Code.
While some of the defendants pleaded guilty, others pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to the Kano Attorney General, Mr Haruna Isa-Dederi, the State Government constituted three mobile courts to prosecute the defendants.
“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.”
Isa-Dederi noted that the case diary would be studied and appropriate advice given by the Ministry of Justice before the next adjourned date.
