The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has accused supporters of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of threatening the lives of the panelists while the trial was on.

The tribunal described the conduct of the supporters as “terrorism and anarchy,” and declared that no judge worth his salt would abandon the course of justice for intimidation.

A member of the tribunal, Justice Benson Anya, said in his judgment that it was wrong of any individual or group to “threaten the entire polity of Kano State with violence” because of a court decision.

“A party who loses a case or anticipates the loss of his case can only prepare to appeal against the decision of the lower court,” he said. “No party on account of losing a case or on the basis of speculation of the possible loss of a case threatens to go on the rampage against the Court and Honourable Judges.”

Justice Anya also condemned the “gang of Red Cap wearers who, like a violent and terrorist cult, chased us out of Kano and put us in the fear of our lives.”

He said that the tribunal would never be intimidated by threats, and would always stand by justice.

“Every judge worth his salt will always abandon and ignore any form of threat to stand by justice and pronounce justice,” he said.