The Kano State Government has condemned the state’s police command for defying Governor Abba Yusuf’s authority as the state’s rightful Chief Security Officer.
The government also expressed dismay at the command for ignoring his legitimate directives.
At a press briefing held at the Kano Government House on Saturday, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Haruna Isah 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, 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 the Chief Security Officer, hiding behind orders from above. I ask again, what is the offence of Kano people that the Nigerian police pencilled them for destruction.”
Dederi, commenting on the Federal High Court’s ruling in favour of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, asserted that the government’s actions did not violate the monarch’s fundamental rights.
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 on his own volition, accompanied by security guards. Therefore, no one put him under house arrest.
“Secondly, it is known by everyone that the Executive Governor of the State is the Chief Security Officer of the state. He has the constitutional duty to ensure the protection of 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.”
Persecondnews recalls that the police had earlier announced a prohibition on Durbar activities during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
According to a statement released by Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the state’s police spokesperson: “The combined security agencies are for the purpose of overriding public safety, not expecting cultural troupes, costumes, weapons wielding, or any form of insignia representing durbar from any of the traditional stool contenders.
“In addition, all other law-abiding people of the state are urged to continue to cooperate with the police and alongside other relevant security agencies as adequate security deployments have been concluded to ensure low-key hitch-free festive Eid-el-Kabir celebrations during this trying period.”
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