By Our Correspondent
In the wake of the recent nationwide hunger protest in Kano, security agencies arrested no fewer than 441 suspects.
Justice Watch News observed that these suspects were subsequently arraigned before three senior magistrate courts.
The courts included, Senior Magistrate Court, No. 54 (Nomansland), Presided over by Ibrahim Abubakar Mansur, the court handled 172 cases.
Senior Magistrate Court, No. 52 (Koki), Muttaka Abba Dandago presided over the arraignment of 149 suspects.
Court No. 33 (Gyadi-Gyadi) Hadiza Rabiu Bello oversaw the proceedings for 120 suspects.
Justice Watch News similarly gathered that court 54 conducted its proceedings at the Goron Dutse Correctional Centre due to security concerns.
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The suspects face various charges, including criminal conspiracy, trespass, causing public disturbance, and mischief by fire, contrary to Section 97 and several sections of the Penal Code.
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The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, the Defense counsels from legal Committee the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo Branch, and Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) argued that the defendants should be presumed innocent.
They cited provisions from Section 35, 36b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and several sections of the Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2019.
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The presiding magistrates ordered the remand of the defendants in the correctional centre for ruling on bail applications and adjourned the sitting to
Friday, August 23, 2024.
Meanwhile The defense counsels requested access to the First Information Report (FIR) to adequately prepare for the defense, consequently Presided magistrates ordered as prayed.
