Kano: Memories Of Property Demolition Re-Echoe As Gov Yusuf Sets Up Investigation Panel On Alleged misappropriation Of Public Assets

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Governor of Kano State Abba Kabir Yusuf has said that the decision of his administration to carry out an inquest into alleged misappropriation and mismanagement of of public properties and assets ,and perpetrations of political violence is not aimed at witch hunting and intimidating anybody, but a bold attempt to forestall future occurrences.

He noted that the policy was  part of his pledge to the good people of Kano during his inauguration in May 2023.

The Kano State Governor who spoke on Thursday, April 4, 2024, while inaugurating members of two Judicial Commissions of Inquiry into recorded cases misappropriation of public properties, and incidences of politically motivated violence and missing persons in the State between 2015 and 2023 vowed to bring to account all those found to be culpable in any way .

In a statement issued by his Media Aide,Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Governor pledged to unravel all those behind the misappropriation of public assets and the reign of thuggery and violence in the state ,and prosecute them accordingly.

“Political violence is a major setback to democracy the world over.It leads to unnecessary loss of lives and property,as well as mistrust on the part of the people and those in power.

“The disturbing cases of politically motivated killings particularly during the 2023 general elections must not be swept under the carpet .This is to prevent future occurrences” Governor Yusuf stated

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf is to head the  Panel on political violence and cases of missing persons during the same period-2015 to 2023,with the main task of unraveling  those and or criminal groups responsible for the spate of violence that  engulfed kano, before, during and after 2015, 2019,and 2023 general elections.

The second Commission which has the mandate of enquiring into cases of alleged misappropriation of public assets is to be chaired by Justice Faruk Lawan .

Governor Yusuf, particularly, charged the Misappropriation Commission, to beam its searchlight on the activities of the immediate past administration,insisting however that the move is neither political nor vindictive.

He tasked the Commissions on the need to be firm,just,and resolute in the discharge of their duties,noting that members were selected based on their unassailable trajectories.

However, The Source, reports that the constitution of the panels ,notably, the asset misappropriation commission ,has tended  to relieve controversial memories of the demolition of several billions of Naira worth of properties in kano,during the early days of the regime.

Notwithstanding, its declaration that the latest move is not aimed at witch hunting, not a few observers will see such assurance as a mere  political pontification .