Kano Government Calls Out Commissioner Of Police

The Kano state administration has chastised the commissioner of police for failing to follow Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s “legitimate instructions”.

Haruna Isah Dederi, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, expressed concern at a press conference held at the government house on Saturday, June 15, about the State Police Commissioner’s activities, specifically the ban on Eid-el-Kabir festivities. He was accused of following orders from an unknown source.

Dederi said; “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Because some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the State so much so that the State Police Commissioner without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council had issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.

“How can anybody in his right senses ban Sallah festivities in Kano? When did the State Governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will only see such ban on social media? Who is pushing the State Commissioner of Police to usurp the authority of the Governor? It is important to stress that the Commissioner of Police has been consistent in disobeying the legitimate instructions of the Governor as Chief Security Officer, hiding behind orders from above. I ask again, what is the offence of Kano people that the Nigeria Police penciled them for destruction?”

Dederi, who also responded to the Federal High Court decision upholding the fundamental rights of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, stated that the dethroned monarch’s rights had not been violated by the government.

He said; “The Federal High Court No.3, Kano, had passed judgement in respect of the matter before it where it held that certain fundamental rights of the deposed emir were infringed upon including putting him under house arrest. We are mindful of the fact whatever judgement is pronounced by a
court of law; any party that is dissatisfied has the option of appealing against the judgement.

“Indeed, our team of lawyers is critically studying the judgement of that court with a view to appealing against it. This is because in our view, no fundamental right of the former emir was infringed.

“First, no one forced him into Gidan Nassarawa, belonging to the government of Kano State. He went in there and stayed there of his own volition accompanied by security guards. Therefore, no one put him under house arrest.

“Secondly, it is known by everyone, that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State is the Chief Security Officer of the State. He has the constitutional duty to ensure the protection of the lives and properties of the people of Kano State.

“When the former emir came in accompanied by hoodlums clearly threatening the peace and orderliness of the State, the Governor was under a duty to act to ensure peace and that was why he issued the arrest order. Even then, the arrest was never affected by any of the security Agencies in the State. Till now, the former Emir has been conducting his activities there as evidenced by the numerous social media presentations.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli