- The Court of Appeal upheld Alhassan Ado Doguwa’s acquittal on culpable homicide charges, dismissing the Kano State Government’s appeal as meritless
- Doguwa expressed gratitude for his acquittal, viewing the legal battle as preparation for future leadership challenges and reaffirming his faith in justice
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the acquittal of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives, over allegations of culpable homicide.
A three-judge panel, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, dismissed the Kano State Government’s appeal, finding no merit in the case.
The appeal challenged an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Donatus Okorowo ruled in favor of Doguwa. In the case, FHC/ABJ/CS/714/2019, the court determined that the charges violated Doguwa’s fundamental rights.
It also prohibited the Kano State Government from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, awarding N25 million in damages.
The charges stemmed from violence during the 2023 general elections in Kano. Doguwa argued that the offences under sections 126 and 128 of the Electoral Act, 2022, were investigated as federal crimes, and both the Kano High Court and the police cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Following the judgment, Doguwa, representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency, expressed his gratitude and faith in Nigeria’s judiciary. He thanked Allah for vindicating him and urged his supporters to celebrate peacefully.
“I accept everything that happened during this legal battle as an act of God, and I see it as preparation for greater leadership challenges ahead,” Doguwa said.