Electoral violence: Kano govt clears Doguwa of murder charges

THE Kano State Government has cleared House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, of charges relating to criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Musa Abdullahi Lawan, made this known while briefing journalists in Kano on Thursday, May 25.

The charges were levelled against Doguwa after violent clashes that occurred during the collation of results of the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency of Kano State.

According to residents and survivors who spoke to The ICIR in a report, some members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were attacked by Doguwa, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his supporters while the collation of results was going on, on February 26.

The incident which led to multiple fatalities and burns were said to have been perpetrated by Doguwa, the minister representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State.

Following the allegations, the Kano State Police Command arrested Doguwa. According to Kano state police spokesperson Haruna Kiyawa, the lawmaker was arrested in connection to a suspected case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and inciting disturbance.

Doguwa was subsequently charged at the Federal High Court in Kano. He was subsequently granted bail of N500 million with two sureties.

On May 20, it was reported that the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali, concluded the murder case investigation and transmitted the case file to the Kano State Government for prosecution.

It was expected that with the findings of the case concluded, the Kano State Government would formally file criminal charges against the lawmaker.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, Abdullahi-Lawan, while briefing newsmen in Kano, said that the ministry could not substantiate charges of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, and culpable homicide against Doguwa.

He said facts and observations were not enough to link Doguwa with the said offences.

“We cannot find sufficient evidence to link Doguwa with the said offences, considering that we are faced with so much inculpatory and exculpatory evidence for and against him,” Abdullahi-Lawan said.

According to Lawal, the statements of those that implicated Doguwa were full of contradictions. He added that there was no medical evidence to prove the cause of the death of the victims.

“The law is clear that the allegations that Doguwa killed people cannot be substantiated.

“We are variably guided by the findings of the investigations of the Police as contained in the case diary sent from the FCID devoid of sentiments, fear or favour,” he said.

The attorney general also noted that the pistol and 30 rounds of live ammunition recovered from the second and third suspects, who were aides to Doguwa, adding that investigations showed that the ammunition given to them by Ballistic states was found intact.

“Some of the witnesses said Doguwa carried a Dane gun while some said it was a pistol.

“No bullet shell was recovered at the scene, only one knife, cutlass and charm,” he said.

According to him, eight to 12 other suspects would be charged to court with mischief by fire under section 336 of the Penal Code as amended..

Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M