The Kano State Government has officially banned and declared the group known as the ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’ illegal, citing a potential threat to public order and a breach of state law. The ban was enacted via an Executive Order signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiyya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, confirmed the development, explaining that the Governor exercised his constitutional powers under Section 5(2) to enforce state laws and maintain peace.
Rationale and Legal Standing
The Commissioner stressed that the Kano State Hisbah Board Law recognizes only the officially constituted Hisbah Board as the lawful body authorized to coordinate and execute Hisbah activities.
The government became concerned following reports that certain individuals were mobilizing and organizing people under the ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’ banner without any legal backing. Abdullahi-Waiyya noted that the unauthorized creation of a parallel Hisbah structure could severely undermine the recognized Board’s authority and operations.
The executive order explicitly states that the formation, promotion, or operation of the ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi,’ or any similar unauthorized organization, is “illegal and void.”
Enforcement and Public Warning
The order expressly prohibits the recruitment, assembly, or training of persons to operate any unauthorized Hisbah or similar enforcement outfit within the state. Impersonation of the official Hisbah Board’s authority, uniform, or symbols will also not be tolerated.
Governor Yusuf has directed all security agencies to immediately investigate the organizers and sponsors of the banned group and stop all its activities.
The Commissioner cautioned the public that joining, supporting, or aiding the group constitutes a violation of state laws. He advised anyone who has been recruited to disengage immediately and report the situation to the nearest security agency or Hisbah office.
Violators of the order face potential prosecution for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation, and the formation of an unauthorized enforcement outfit. The Executive Order took immediate effect and is slated for formal gazetting.
