Kano Government set to file a Petition against Tribunal Judge Over “Terrorist Cults”, “Bandits” Comments

The Kano State government has vowed to file an appeal against the ruling of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and to petition one of the judges of the tribunal, Justice Benson Anya, for his comments about the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

TrackNews Media reports that the tribunal last week sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as the state governor of Kano State.

Justice Anya, in his judgement, said Governor Yusuf presided over a state where anarchy was being supported, and agents of the government were allowed to malign the judiciary. He also referred to NNPP members as “red cap wearers”, “violent and terrorist cults”, “bandits”, and “bitter losers” over a threat against the lives of the tribunal judges.

The Kano State government has condemned Justice Anya’s comments, saying they are not only insulting to NNPP members and supporters but also to the late Malam Aminu Kano, who was the champion of wearing a red cap in Kano.

The state government has also questioned whether Justice Anya was right to use personal sentiments in his judgment and has said that it will file a petition against him with the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC).

Dantiye said the judge could not just come “to Kano and abuse Malam Aminu Kano. We will make sure that he pays for what he has done. We will explore all options for the unnecessary abuse.”

“A judge cannot just sit down because of unfounded death threats to be impartial in our judgement. This clearly showed to us that you are not being fair and just in this election verdict,” he said.