The National Forum of Kano Indigene Lawyers has petitioned the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, demanding the continuation of investigations and prosecution of Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa and others over alleged killings during the 2023 general elections.
The petition, dated September 11 and signed by Dr Jafar Sadiq on behalf of the forum, recalled that during the polls in Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency, “several lives were lost in violent circumstances,” with multiple witnesses and families of victims alleging the direct involvement of Doguwa, who represents the constituency.
The lawyers alleged that investigations into the killings were “abruptly abandoned, reportedly on account of political pressure,” describing the move as both unconstitutional and unlawful.
“The right to life, enshrined under Section 33(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), imposes a clear duty on the state to investigate and prosecute unlawful killings,” the petition read.
They further noted that the Penal Code in force in Kano criminalises culpable homicide, while the Electoral Act 2022 makes electoral violence a punishable offence.
The forum urged the Attorney General to exercise his constitutional mandate under Section 211 to “institute, undertake, and continue criminal proceedings in the interest of justice,” warning that failure to act “risks entrenching impunity and undermining public confidence in our justice system.”
Quoting from the petition, the lawyers stressed, “Our humble prayer is that your office reopens and continues the investigation into the killings linked to the 2023 General Elections in Tudun Wada/Doguwa Constituency, direct law enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation without political interference, and initiate proper prosecution against Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa and any other individuals found culpable by evidence.”
The forum also invoked religious obligations in its argument, citing the Qur’an, “Whoever kills a soul… it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves one—it is as if he has saved all mankind” (Qur’an 5:32).
They added,“Justice delayed is justice denied. We therefore urge your office to act swiftly, lest history records silence where justice was required.”
Kano Times had earlier reported that the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed a murder charge preferred against Ado Doguwa.
The court ruled that the appeal by the Kano State Government lacked merit, further affirming an initial judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had acquitted the lawmaker.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, also ordered the Kano State Government to pay a ₦25 million fine for defaming the lawmaker’s character.
The judgment, delivered on December 5, 2023, in suit no. FHC/ABJ/714/2019, had cleared Doguwa of the murder allegation.