A Kano State Mobile Court has ordered the remand of 632 protesters who are accused of 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. The case is being presided over by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.
The court session has been adjourned until August 19 for further hearing. According to the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Salisu Tahir, the alleged offenses were committed on August 1. Tahir claimed that the defendants not only trespassed and vandalized properties but also looted goods from people’s shops.
These actions reportedly contravene sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code. While some defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, others pleaded not guilty.
Following the court session, State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi announced that the State Government had set up three mobile courts to handle the high number of defendants. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diaries and provide appropriate advice before the next court date.