Court of appeal upholds Doguwa’s acquittal in homicide case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the acquittal of House of Representatives member Alhassan Ado Doguwa on charges of culpable homicide.

A three-judge panel, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, dismissed the Kano State Government’s appeal against an earlier Federal High Court ruling, citing a lack of merit.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, had ruled that the charges against Doguwa violated his fundamental human rights.

The court restrained the Kano State Government from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting the lawmaker, awarding him damages amounting to N25 million.

Doguwa, who represents the Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency of Kano State, had argued that the offences related to the violence that occurred during the 2023 general elections in Kano were investigated as federal offences.

He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by both the Kano High Court and the police.

Following the appellate court’s ruling, Doguwa expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his belief in the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.

He said, “We appreciate Allah for once again vindicating me and absolving me from the mischief of my political opponents.

“I want to urge my people, especially at the constituency level to celebrate this victory by thanking Allah, SWT, and avoid a breach of law and order.

“I have also accepted all that happened in the course of this judicial tussle as an act of God and taking it as an opportunity to prepare me for greater leadership challenges that are coming.”