Photo: Rep Alhassan Doguwa
Alleged murder: court orders Rep majorly leader’s release on N500m bail
A Federal High Court in Kano on Monday ordered that the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, who was remanded in prison custody by a Magistrates Court in Kano be released on bail in the sum of N500 million.
The police had arrested and arraigned Doguwa before the Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson and murder.
This was sequel to the widespread violence that led to deaths and arson in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of the state during the February 25 elections.
Doguwa was charged with alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, arson and illegal possession of firearms among others.
His lawyer, Nureini Jimoh (SAN), however, filed an an exparte application before Justice Muhammad Yunusa of the Federal High Court seeking an order to grant the accused bail.
Jimoh’s application was hinged on alleged infringement of his client’s fundamental human rights and absence of jurisdiction by the Magistrates Court which had remanded him.
The defendant’s counsel argued that since the accused was charged with culpable homicide and illegal possession of firearms, a Magistrates Court lacked jurisdiction to remand his client.
While granting the ex parte application, Justice Yunusa ordered that the defendant be released on bail in the said sum of N500m.
He however said the defendant must provide two sureties, one of which must be a First Class traditional ruler, while the other must be a Permanent Secretary at the federal or state civil service.
The Judge also ordered that Doguwa must deposit his international travel documents with the court’s registry.
He held that the traveling documents would be released upon request if needed for travel but must be immediately returned after the journey.
Justice Yunusa also ordered that Doguwa must stay away from his constituency during the March 11 election gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections.
