Three mobile courts in Kano State have ordered the remand of 632 protesters accused of vandalizing public and government properties during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
The defendants face multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.
Senior Magistrates Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago presided over the cases.
The court sessions, held on Tuesday, have been adjourned until August 19 for further hearings.
State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Salisu Tahir informed the court that the alleged offences occurred on August 1.
“The defendants, during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, trespassed, vandalized government and public properties in the state,” Tahir stated.
He further alleged, “The defendants broke into people’s shops and looted their goods.”
The Explainer gathered that the charges brought against the defendants are based on provisions of the Penal Code, specifically sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247. While some defendants pleaded guilty, others maintained their innocence.
Kano State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi spoke to journalists after the court sitting, explaining the rationale behind the establishment of the mobile courts.
“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 said.
He also noted that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diary and provide appropriate advice before the next adjourned date.
