The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has been the subject of controversy following the recent verdict that voided the declaration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as winner of the March 18 election.
The outcry emanates from the choice of words of a member of the Tribunal, Justice Benson Anya, referring the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)’s supporters as “red cap wearers”, “violent and terrorist cults”, “bandits” and “bitter losers.”
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that the tribunal on Wednesday sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as Kano state governor, declaring Nasir Yusuf Gawuna of the APC as the winner.
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The judgment was read by the chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay via Zoom, a development that shock many, but was said to be precaution against threat on the lives of the judges.
It could be recall that Governor Yusuf had days before the judgement, sacked one of his cabinet member for the death threats he (commissioner) had issued against the tribunal judges should the judgement not favour the NNPP.
However, Justice Anya in the judgement copy sighted by GOOD EVENING NIGERIA, said Governor Yusuf presided over a state where anarchy was being supported and agents of the government were allowed to malign the judiciary.
Anya’s judgment runs from page 225 to page 228 of the tribunal’s full verdict.
“The judges of this Tribunal were harassed, intimidated and made to run under cover. What is the offence of the Judiciary?” Justice Anya queried.
“My message to the bandits in politics who want to take power by force is that the judiciary cannot be intimidated. The judiciary will never run away from justice.
“A party who loses a case or anticipates the loss of his case can only prepare to appeal against the decision of the lower court or prepare to appeal. This is what is obtainable in a civilised society.
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“It is wrong to threaten the entire polity of Kano State with violence. A party must not threaten terrorism and mayhem on the people.
“The decision of the court must not be taken personal as to warrant an attack and violence against the Judiciary functionaries as threatened by the agents of the 2nd and 3rd Respondents.”
He condemned “the gang of Red Cap wearers who, like a violent and terrorist cult, chased us out of Kano and put us in the fear of our lives.
“We believe that only Allah is the giver of power.”
Continuing, Justice Anya said: “Those who believe in Allah must bow to his will and submit to the authority of governmental power.
“Resort to anarchy, violence and killing can never be a source of lawful power.
“Threatening to put Honourable Judges in the danger of their life as done in Kano by some disgruntled bandits parading as politicians is hereby condemned.
“Every judge worth his salt will always abandon and ignore any form of threat to stand by justice and pronounce justice.
Shehu Sani faults tribunal
Human rights activist Shehu Sani appeared unimpressed yesterday with the tribunal’s choice of words in its condemnation of the NNPP supporters.
Sani, writing on his X (formerly Twitter) handle @ShehuSani, underlined such words as “the gang of Red Cap wearers who like a violent and terrorist cult…”; “…disgruntled bandits parading as politicians is hereby condemned”; and “…threatened fire and brimstone by bitter losers,” which he did not find amusing.
He said: “In the Tribunal Judgement that was crafted to remove Osun Governor Adeleke, Buga dance was mentioned. In the tribunal judgment that was crafted to remove Kano’s Governor Abba Yusuf, this is the pattern.