Kano Probe Panel Tasks Media On Professionalism, Asks Public To Submit Memoranda

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kano State government to investigate causes of political violence and missing persons from 2015 to 2023 has solicited the assistance of the media in achieving its mandate.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf made the appeal on Monday while delivering her speech at the inaugural sitting of the commission in Kano.

Justice Yusuf told journalists to report the activities of the commission with utmost professionalism by being fair and factual on its proceedings.

Yusuf however called on members of the public, including organisations, non-governmental organisations, as well as victims and, relatives of the victims of political violence including missing persons to submit their memoranda or petitions to the Commission through the registry situated within the court premises.

She further assured the public of the commission’s readiness to serve them diligently while their petitions would be looked into, stressing that they would be called upon to give oral evidence where necessary.

The panel’s terms of reference include finding out the root causes of the political and other forms of violence in the state and identifying areas where violence is associated within the said period.

They are also tasked to identify sponsors and perpetrators of political and other forms of violence during and in-between elections and also to identify all missing persons in the state and determine the circumstances, as well as the immediate and remote causes of their missing, among other terms.

Members of the panel were drawn from representatives of the Nigeria Police, National Human Right Commission, civil society groups, organised labour unions and Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others.