By Kabir Tukur
A Kano-based legal practitioner, Bashir Yusuf Muhammad, Esq., has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, over the collapse of an uncompleted three-storey building at Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
The petition, dated August 17, 2026, was filed on behalf of Alhaji Surajo Yusuf, whose son, identified as Abdullah, reportedly lost his life in the building collapse on August 15.
According to the petition, the incident resulted in the deaths of several persons, including the client’s son, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The lawyers, operating under Bashir Yusuf Tudunwazirchi & Associates, Yusuf Maigoro Chambers, alleged that residents and neighbours had previously drawn the attention of the building’s owner, identified in the petition as Alhaji Ali Nagarta, to apparent structural defects and concerns about the manner in which the construction was being carried out.
The petition further alleged that the owner had been warned about the danger and the possibility of the building collapsing if the identified defects were not urgently addressed.
The lawyers stated that despite the warnings, the owner allegedly “failed and neglected to take appropriate steps to remedy the situation or prevent access to the dangerous structure.”
They argued that the alleged disregard of the warnings and failure to take reasonable precautions ultimately contributed to the collapse, which caused loss of lives and serious injuries.
“It is our respectful submission that the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building raise serious questions of criminal negligence, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt, and require urgent and thorough investigation,” the petition stated.
The solicitors requested the Commissioner of Police to immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
They also called for an investigation into the conduct and responsibility of Alhaji Ali Nagarta, particularly regarding the construction, supervision and maintenance of the building.
The petition further urged the police to invite and interrogate all persons who may have relevant information concerning the building and the warnings allegedly issued to its owner.
“Where the investigation establishes criminal liability, cause the appropriate criminal charges to be instituted against the responsible person(s) in accordance with the law,” the lawyers requested.
The petitioners expressed confidence that the police would treat the matter with the urgency it deserves, particularly in view of the reported loss of lives and the need to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The police were also urged to take prompt and appropriate action following the petition.