Tag: Kano govt

A summit held at the Bayero University (BUK), Kano, has sought to strengthen legal protections and ensure community accountability structures for zero tolerance on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Convener of the gender justice summit, Barr. Aisha Hamman, said the event was to reflect, test responsibility and call for the protection and dignity of women and girls.

“It (GBV) lives with us every single day, in our homes, schools, streets, and now, increasingly, in our digital spaces.

“So, the question before us is: are our systems truly doing enough to protect the most vulnerable amongst us?,” she asked.

Hamman, who is the founder of Lift Africa which organised the summit, disclosed that the Foundation was inspired as a dream, during her 23 years as a public defense lawyer, during which she worked closely with survivors of gender-based violence.

She lamented her experience: “I met girls who were abused simply because they were selling groundnuts on the street.

“I met girls raped while selling rogo (boiled cassava). Girls assaulted for carrying kola nuts worth as little as ₦2,000—leaving home early in the morning and returning late at night.

“These girls had dreams. They wanted to be educated. They wanted dignity. They wanted to contribute meaningfully to society.

“But poverty stood in the way. Their parents could not afford school. So they dropped out, turned to street trading, and became exposed to danger. That is where abuse happened.”

She pointed out that on May 28, 2015, Nigeria signed into law the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which criminalised rape, domestic violence, emotional abuse, harmful traditional practices, female genital mutilation, forced isolation, and other forms of violence against women, children, and vulnerable groups.

She queried that 10 years on, Kano remains the only state in Nigeria yet to domesticate the law against GBV.

“Kano is home to over 15–16 million people. Yet the entire state relies on one Sexual Assault Referral Centre serving the 44 Local Government Areas. One centre. 44 LGAs.

“This means thousands of survivors face limited access to medical care, forensic evidence, psychosocial support, and justice.

“Kano is also one of Nigeria’s highest Gender Based Violence hotspots, yet, Kano operates with weaker coordination, fewer resources, and outdated legal tools, which means that the state lacks the comprehensive legal systems to address this painful menace that has eaten deep and torn the very fabric our society is weaved with. This gap is not merely legal, it is human,” she said.

She explained that the Kano Gender Justice Summit 2025 is the flagship event of Nigeria’s commemoration of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

According to her, the summit was not a gathering to trade blame, but to share responsibilities as leaders and coordinate action.

“Together, we are here to push for the passage of the Kano State Penal Code Amendment Bill 2021 containing the Harmonised Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act Provisions.

“A society is not judged by the laws it drafts, but by the speed, sincerity, and fairness with which justice is delivered.

“Today, Kano has a choice to move from intention to action, from dialogue to decision and from delay to protection,” Barr. Hamman said.

Kano State government yesterday hailed the Court of Appeal judgement on the emirate council dispute involving the dethroned 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero and the reinstated 16th Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.

This was made known in a press conference jointly addressed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mohammed Tajo Othman

Commissioner, and that of Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.

 Also at the press conference were all the chairmen of the state’s 44 local government councils as well as the Special Adviser on the Emirates Council, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya.

 The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday set aside the June 20 order by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, nullifying the steps/actions taken by the Kano State Government pursuant to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

 Speaking at the NUJ Press Centre, Kano, the commissioner for Justice said the verdict overturns earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and validates the government’s lawful actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions.

 “This ruling reaffirms the government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and

adherence to due process in our efforts to modernise traditional structures

while preserving the cultural heritage of Kano State.

 “The judgment further clarifies the rightful jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, underscoring the constitutional boundaries of the courts in such affairs,” he said.

Read Also: Appeal Court sets aside order nullifying Sanusi’s appointment as 16th Emir of Kano

 He urged all public and private institutions, as well as individuals, to comply with the Court of Appeal decision and act accordingly to give full effect to the Judgment.

 Dederi said: “The decision by the appellate court to void previous judgments that questioned the state’s lawful appointments underscores the correctness of our actions and strengthens our resolve to continue reforms for equitable representation and inclusive governance.

 “For the avoidance of doubt, all decisions, pronouncements, and orders made by the Federal High Court Kano have been quashed and set aside by the Court of Appeal.

 “Furthermore, the law enacted by the Kano state House of Assembly relating to Emirates and all actions taken by the Governor of Kano State pursuant to that law have been fully upheld and legalised by the Court of Appeal.”

 He added that the state government was grateful to the judiciary “for upholding the principles of justice and fairness,” assuring the Abba Yusuf administration’s commitment to  working with traditional institutions, ensuring harmony, and fostering development across all emirates.

 “We urge all parties to respect the court’s Judgment and join hands with the government to promote peace, unity, and progress in our beloved state.

 “Let us continue to prioritise the collective good of Kano State above all individual interests,” he said.

The Kano State Government yesterday  deplored the decision of the State Police Command to   ban the traditional Durbar during this year’s  Eid-el Kabir in Kano.

Attorney General of the state and Justice Commissioner on Saturday said the Durbar was an integral part of Eid-el Kabir celebrations in Kano, and claimed that  “some enemies of the state” were bent on causing a breakdown of law and order with a view to  destroying  the state.

Dederi spoke at a press conference.

In his  prepared speech  entitled “Who is Plotting to Cause Anarchy in Kano?”, the commissioner accused the state Police Command of undermining the constitutional authority of the governor.

“Some people are dishing out instructions to security chiefs in the state so much that the state Commissioner of Police (CP), without any consultation with the State‘s Chief Officer, has issued an order banning Eid-el Kabir festivities in Kano State,” Dederi said.

Governor Abba Yusuf, according to the commissioner, got to hear of the ban through the media.

Read Also: Tinubu, govs stress sacrifice, duty, unity at Sallah

“Who is pushing the police commissioner to usurp the authority of the governor?” he wondered.

He accused  the same CP  of  “consistently disobeying the legitimate instructions of the governor as chief security officer of the state.”

In his reaction however,Police  Commissioner Ussain Gumel, said he has never disrespected the governor.

He described the Attorney General’s allegation of being disrespectful  to the governor  as  unfounded.

“I mean well for Kano State and my actions speak louder than words,” he said.

Gumel said he banned the Sallah Durbar to sustain the peace in Kano.

“In this trying period, the police will enforce the existing court order and prevail on the two contending parties regarding the Kano emirate tussle.

“We urge them (emirs) to remain apart and respect the court order,” he said.

Gumel advised worshippers to conduct their normal Eid Prayers at the various designated praying grounds, as usually done.