- Kano state court ruled that 632 protesters be held in custody for suspected vandalism
- Six Spanish nationals linked to the protests were also arrested
- 76 others were taken into custody, including a tailor responsible for making Russian flags
Three mobile courts in Kano state ruled that 632 protesters be held in custody for suspected vandalism of public and government property amid the nationwide hunger protests.
Salisu Tahir, the Public Prosecution Director for Kano State, reported to the court that the alleged offences occurred on Thursday, August 1.
Kano prosecutor claims dependants vandalised properties
Salisu said, “The defendants broke into people’s shops and looted their goods.”
He claimed that the defendants trespassed and vandalized government and public properties in the state.
On Tuesday, August 6, the defendants appeared in court facing charges that included criminal conspiracy, theft, incitement of unrest, trespassing, arson, and unlawful assembly.
Senior Magistrates Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago served as the presiding judges in the courts.
The prosecutor stated that the offences violated sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code.
Some defendants acknowledged their guilt, while others pleaded not guilty. The hearing was adjourned to Monday, 19 August.
Following the court sitting, Kano State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi stated that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diary and provide the necessary advice before the next adjournment.
Not less than six Spanish nationals arrested
On the same day, Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Garba, reported that his command had apprehended at least six Spanish nationals linked to the protest.
76 others, including tailor, were apprehended
CP Garba noted that, in addition to this, the command had taken 76 others into custody, including a tailor responsible for making Russian flags and working to identify and apprehend the sponsor.
“We have arrested six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including the tailor. We recovered 23 Russian flags, we are trailing the sponsor,”
“They have been transferred to Force Headquarters because it has to do with sedition and national security,” the CP stated.”
Protesters allegedly loot industrial park in Kano, netizens react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that some protesters looted the yet-to-be-commissioned Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) digital innovation industrial park in Kano State.
Nigerians reacted by condemning their actions, while some believed the government hired the looters.