25th May, 2023
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Kano State Government on Thursday said the charges of murder leveled against Alhassan Ado Dogunwa, the Majority leader of House of Representatives cannot be sustained for lack of strong evidence.
Doguwa was accused of murder, following alleged electoral violence that erupted from clashes between members of his party, the All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP in his Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.
It was alleged that about 15 card-carrying members of the NNPP lost their lives during the electoral violence.
However, the Kano State Police Command had accused Doguwa of complicity in electoral violence.
Consequently, the Police arrested the lawmaker at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA on his way traveling out of the state some days later.
Following his arrest, the Police arraign his on five count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, mischief and incitement of public disturbance.
The Court however granted the lawmaker bail.
The Court had last Monday declared the culpable Homicide charges, including Criminal Conspiracy Prosecution against Doguwa as unconstitutional.
However, the prosecution of the lawmaker for culpable homicide may be over as the Kano state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bar. M.A Lawan told journalists on Thursday that there are not enough evidence to sustain the charges.
He declared that Doguwa remain innocent due to lack of substantial evidence against him.
Lawan who spoke to journalists in his office said , “we are of the opinion that we cannot substantiate charges of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide against Ado Doguwa.
“The statement of those that implicated him were full of contradictions. And apart from their contradictory statements, we could not find medical evidence to prove that the death of the deceased persons was caused by Ado Doguwa.”