During a security agency heads meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun revealed that, due to the large number of arrests, suspects from the recent protests in Kano are being tried at the police headquarters.
Egbetokun stated, “The trial of those suspects arrested during protests has begun. In Kano, because we have a large number of arrests, the magistrate moved to the police headquarters, and that is where the trial is ongoing right now. If you go to the police headquarters in Kano, you will find out that arrested persons are already being tried. So we are not keeping them indefinitely.”
News About Nigeria earlier reported that 632 protesters were remanded by a Kano State Mobile Court for alleged vandalism of public and government properties during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest in the state.
The protesters, who were remanded on Tuesday, face charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.
The court sessions are presided over by three senior judicial officers: Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.
The State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Salisu Tahir, informed the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences on August 1.
He claimed that during the nationwide protest, the defendants trespassed on and vandalised government and public properties, adding that the offences contravened various provisions of the Penal Code.
“The defendants broke into people’s shops and looted their goods,” stated the DPP.
State Attorney General, Mr. Haruna Isa-Dederi, mentioned that the state government has constituted three mobile courts to prosecute the defendants.
He noted that the case diary would be reviewed, and appropriate advice given by the Ministry of Justice before the next adjourned date.
The court has adjourned sitting until August 19, when it will reconvene for a hearing.
