Abuja Court drops murder charges against Ado Doguwa, orders N25m compensation

Story from Usman UMAR

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a sum of N25 million in compensation against the Kano State Government and the police for falsely accusing Alhaji Alhassan Ado Doguwa of murder.

Mr. Doguwa, a lawmaker representing the Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was charged with the murder of three individuals believed to be members of the then-opposition New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) during the February 25, 2023, general election.

After being formally charged, Doguwa alleged bias on the part of the police and the Kano State Government.

His complaint prompted a review of the police investigation by the authorities.

The outgoing APC government in the state eventually dropped the investigation and cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Read also: Justice For Victims: Gov. Abba Yusuf to revisit murder charges against Rep. Doguwa

However, the newly elected governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, vowed to prosecute Mr. Doguwa, accusing him of the deaths of more than 15 individuals.

Mr Yusuf, a member of the NNPP, pledged to reopen the case and see it through to its conclusion, along with investigating other incidents of political violence in the state over the past eight years.

Despite this, Mr Doguwa filed a lawsuit against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Governor of Kano State, and Attorney-General of Kano State for violating his rights to dignity, liberty, and freedom of movement.

In a judgment from the Federal High Court dated December 5, 2023, Judge D.U. Okorowo acquitted Mr. Doguwa of the murder charges.

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