On Thursday, the Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association revealed that approximately 30 of its members lost their lives during and following the destruction of their shops at Eid Ground, Kano state.
This action was carried out by the Kano State government under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, who assumed office in May 2023.
The affected individuals took legal action against the state government, seeking N30bn in damages. However, the government agreed to a settlement outside of court, promising to pay N3bn in three separate payments.
During a press conference in Kano on Thursday, the victims’ lawyer, Ma’aruf Yakasai, disclosed that the state has so far paid N1bn of the agreed N3bn. Despite this, he expressed his client’s desire for a criminal trial to be conducted in relation to the case.
Yakasai presented a letter addressed to the Kano State Commissioner of Police. The letter, dated January 3, 2024, was signed by Auwalu Sa’idu Umar, the association’s chairman, and Ibrahim Salisu Nyas, its secretary.
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The letter accused Rabi’u Kwankwaso, Dr Abdullahi Bich, H.E. Abba Yusuf, and Muhammad Diggol, among others, of “criminal conspiracy, theft, criminal misappropriation and mischief” in violation of sections 97, 286, 308 and 326 of the Penal Code, laws of Kano State of Nigeria.
In the letter, the association expressed their distress over the unlawful actions, stating that some of their members had passed away and others were suffering from various illnesses, including stroke, as a result of the demolition of their property and loss of income.
They wrote, “The victims’ orphans and children are left with no parental care and attention, many are rendered homeless; poor or no education, medical care, because their breadwinners are either dead or have lost their means of livelihood.”
They estimated the total value of the destroyed property to be N260bn. The traders urged the Commissioner of Police to investigate the demolition, which the Federal High Court, Kano Division, had deemed “illegal, unconstitutional and barbaric.”
The letter concluded with an appeal for a criminal investigation into the matter, particularly regarding offenses against property and humanity.
They wrote, “We need the criminal aspect to be investigated and the guilty to face the full wrath of the law. We also urge your good self to consider and build on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano Division that described the action of the suspects as illegal, unconstitutional and barbaric.”
The association assured that they would provide all necessary evidence and records to support their allegations against the suspects at the appropriate stage of the investigation. They also noted that the suspects have not denied the demolition.