Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the vandalized and looted Kano State High Court on Wednesday, following the recent violent hunger protests in parts of the North.
The court was also set ablaze during the unrest.
During the inspection, Governor Yusuf expressed deep regret over the attack on the court, noting that critical corruption case documents involving former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, were stolen.
Ganduje, who is currently serving as the acting National Chairman of the APC, is facing multiple corruption charges in the state high court.
The governor was accompanied on the tour by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, and several judges.
Governor Yusuf condemned the incident, attributing it to hired miscreants intending to disrupt the legal proceedings against Ganduje, his family, and his aides. The attack destroyed nearly all court units, including the office of the Chief Judge, with damages estimated to exceed N1 billion. The looters stole office equipment, burned cars, and destroyed materials critical to the administration of justice.
Governor Yusuf urged the youth in Kano State to avoid being manipulated by detractors into committing acts of violence, advising them to focus on acquiring skills for a better future. He assured them of the government’s support in this regard. The governor also ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the courthouse and the enhancement of security measures to ensure the effective delivery of justice.
Furthermore, Yusuf expressed his sympathies to the Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, and the judiciary over the incident, which he described as unfortunate. He commended the people of Kano for their continued support of his administration, calling for sustained peace, stability, and economic development in the state.
Earlier, on August 4, the Management of the State High Court issued a statement condemning the attack and confirmed that investigations were underway to identify those responsible.
The court’s spokesperson, Baba Ibrahim, reported that the rioters, who identified themselves as #EndBadGovernment protesters, broke into the court’s premises on August 1. They vandalized offices, stole money, and looted guns that were held as evidence in ongoing cases. Additionally, several private and official vehicles parked at the court were either set ablaze or vandalized.
This incident marks an unprecedented attack on the Kano State Judiciary, leaving significant damage and losses in its wake.
