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The Kano State government has expressed concerns over the perceived insubordination of the State’s Police Command to the legitimate directives of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is the chief security officer of the State.
The state government spoke through its Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, during a press conference held at the Government House in Kano on Saturday.
Dederi questioned the authority of the Police Command over certain actions, particularly the decision to ban the Eid-el-Kabir festivities without consulting the State governor or the State Security Council.
“I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief?” he queried.
He highlighted the unexpected and unilateral nature of the police decision, which the governor reportedly learned about via social media.
“How can anybody in his right senses ban Sallah festivities in Kan. When did the State governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will only see such a 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 pencilled them for destruction?”
LEADERSHIP reports the Kano State Police Command had few days ago issued a ban on Eid-el-Kabir Durbar activities, citing security concerns following the ongoing tussle over the Kano Emirship.
The police justified the ban, stating it was for overriding public safety, and would not permit cultural troupes, costumes, or any durbar-related activity post-Eid-el-Kabir festival as customary.
In addition to addressing the police’s actions, Dederi responded to a Federal High Court judgement concerning the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero. The court had ruled on Friday that the dethroned Emir’s fundamental rights had been infringed upon and awarded him N10 million compensation, disputing the interpretation of the court’s ruling.
“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 that whatever judgement is pronounced by a court of law; any party that is dissatisfied has the option of appealing against the judgement,” Dederi stated.
He further defended the state government’s actions, insisting that the former Emir had not been forced into house arrest but had entered the government-owned Nasarawa mini Palace on his own volition, accompanied by security guards.
Dederi asserted that Governor Yusuf, as the Chief Security Officer, had acted within his constitutional duty to maintain peace when ordering the emir’s arrest amid unrest caused by his arrival in Kano with supporters.
“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 effected 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.”