Law Week: Gov Yusuf Warns Against Court Orders Threatening Public Interest
By Uzair Adam
The Kano State Government has raised concern over what it described as the growing misuse of court orders to claim public assets, warning that the trend poses a threat to justice, social stability, and public interest.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf sounded the warning at the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo Branch, held in Kano, where he was represented by the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
The governor expressed concern that individuals increasingly obtain court orders to assert ownership over properties such as schools, hospitals, graveyards, and other public facilities, often disrupting long-standing community use.
“When judicial decisions of such magnitude promote private interests at the expense of societal well-being, the true sense of justice is undermined,” he said.
He noted that in some cases, claimants secure restraining orders within a short period, preventing communities from accessing essential public assets that have served generations.
While reaffirming respect for the judiciary, the governor cautioned that such developments, if unchecked, could erode public confidence in the justice system and complicate efforts to maintain order and security.
The warning comes amid broader concerns about evolving security challenges in the state and across northern Nigeria, which he described as complex and interconnected, often driven by social and economic factors.
Speaking on the theme of the Law Week, “The Role of Law and Technology in Addressing Insecurity in Contemporary Nigeria,” the governor said modern security threats require a combination of sound legal frameworks and technological innovation.
According to him, security goes beyond the absence of crime to include justice, public trust, and the effective functioning of institutions. He added that a society may remain insecure despite the presence of security forces if citizens lack confidence in the system or experience delays in justice delivery.
He stressed that while law provides the foundation for order, technology plays a critical role in enhancing intelligence gathering, improving investigations, and strengthening coordination among security agencies.
Highlighting steps taken by his administration, the governor said Kano State has strengthened its legal and security architecture through collaboration with stakeholders and the introduction of community-based initiatives such as neighbourhood security structures aimed at boosting grassroots intelligence.
He also outlined reforms in the justice sector, including the recruitment of over 70 state counsel to address manpower shortages and improve the administration of criminal justice.
To modernise operations, the government has deployed digital tools such as high-speed internet and computer systems within the Ministry of Justice, alongside the engagement of legal consultants to reduce case backlogs.
In addition, the administration has invested in judicial infrastructure through the renovation of courts and construction of new facilities across the state, while also improving the welfare of judicial officers.
The governor further acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Bar Association in promoting the rule of law and supporting governance, describing its partnership with the state as constructive and beneficial.
He added that beyond enforcement measures, addressing insecurity requires tackling underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment, and social dislocation, which he identified as major drivers of crime.