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Kano commission begins inquiry into political violence, missing persons

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1 year ago

As the Commission of Inquiry for Political Violence and Missing Persons set up by the Kano State Government began its sitting on Monday, the commission has called for the submission of necessary petitions from individuals and groups to be investigated.

However, the commission has equally assured the people of the state that it will ensure that sponsors and perpetrators of political and other forms of violence during and in between the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections are brought to justice.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, disclosed this during the inauguration held in Kano on Monday.

She added that the commission will identify all missing persons in the state and determine the circumstances as well as the immediate and remote causes of their disappearance, suggesting a possible way out of the problem.

Justice Yusuf stated that the commission will also find out the causes of political and other forms of violence in Kano State.

The commission would also identify areas where violence associated with the 2015, 2020, and 2023 general elections occurred in Kano State, identify victims of all forms of violence, including politically motivated, state-sponsored, etc., associated with the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections, and assess the damage or loss of lives and properties during the period.

She therefore disclosed that “we will suggest ways of supporting the victims of all forms of violence in the state, recommend effective ways of preventing politically motivated and state-sponsored violence and any other forms of violence in the state, and advise on any other matter incidental to the assignment.”

“At this juncture, I would like to invite individuals, groups, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as victims and relatives of victims of political violence and missing persons, to submit memoranda or petitions to the Commission’s registry situated at Miller Road from today,” said Justice Zuwaira.

Justice Yusuf said, “I will also assure the general public that the Commission is there to serve them, that their petitions will be looked into, and where necessary, they will be called upon to give oral evidence.

I would also like to further assure the people of Kano State that this Commission will discharge its assigned mandates diligently, honestly, fairly, dispassionately, and without fear or ill will,” she added.

She then called on journalists and the media to ensure any report concerning the Commission is done with the utmost professionalism and must be fair and factual.

List of members of the commission:

Hon. Justice Zuwaira Yusuf: Chairperson

Amb. Ibrahim Waiya: Representative of Civil Society Groups

Muhammad Wakili (Rtd): Retired Commissioner of Police

Shu’aibu Sule, Esq

Amina Umar Garba, Esq

Comrade Kabiru Inuwa: Representative of the Organised Labour Union.

Salisu Muhammad Tahir, Esq., Director Public Prosecution/MoJ

Shehu Abdullahi: State Coordinator, National Human Right Commission

AVM. Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd): Director General, Special services

Kabiru Haruna: Representative of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)

Sa’ida Sa’ad, Esq