May 6, (THEWILL)- On Monday, the Kano State Commission of Inquiry For Political Violence and Cases of Missing Persons, which occurred in the state from 2015 to 2023, held its Inaugural sitting with a promise to be dispassionate in the discharge of its mandate.
At the sitting held at Kano High Court, Miller Road, Kano, the Commission also pledged to carry out its assignment diligently, fairly and without fear or ill will.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who stated this during the sitting, also said that the essence of the Commission is to find out the causes and factors that instigate political violence in the State.
“Similarly, the Commission is mandated to investigate the rampant cases of missing persons and to make recommendations for enduring solutions to these 2 issues”, Justice Zuwaira said.
The Commission, she said, was inviting individuals, groups, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as well as victims and relatives of the victims of political violence, and missing persons to submit memoranda or petitions to the Commission from today.
“Such memoranda/petitions are to be submitted to the Registry of the Commission which is situated in this Court premises.
“I will also assure the general public that the Commission is there to serve them, that their petitions would be looked into and where necessary would be called upon to give oral evidence”, the Chairperson said.
She gave the terms of reference of the Commission as: “To find out the root causes of the Political and other forms of violence in Kano State.
“To identify areas where violence associated with the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections occurred in Kano State.
“To identify sponsors and perpetrators of political and other forms of violence during and in between elections in Kano State.
“To identify all missing persons in the State and determine the circumstances as well as the immediate and remote causes of their missing.
“To 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/losses of lives and properties during the period.
“To suggest ways of supporting the victims of all forms of violence in the State.
“To facilitate and ensure that the sponsors and perpetrators of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 political and other forms of violence are brought to justice.
“To recommend effective ways of preventing politically motivated and State-sponsored violence and any other forms of violence in the State and to advise on any other matter incidental to the assignment.”
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
