Electoral violence: House Leader, Doguwa, cools heels in prison till March 7

Electoral violence: House Leader, Doguwa, cools heels in prison till March 7

Alhassan Doguwa

The House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, currently in jail custody will on March 7 know whether he would be granted bail or not. That is the adjourned date for the hearing of his bail application.

But how did he get here. In Tudun Wada area of Kano State where violence and arson occurred during the elections, it was alleged that Doguwa led the thugs that set ablaze the secretariat of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the area during which two persons were feared dead.

He denies it however, saying he learnt that the police were looking for him but said he had not received any formal invitation.

“I never held a gun. I don’t even know how to hold a gun. I also never held any weapon throughout the election,” he told his supporters and the media.

He was since been remanded in prison after a five-count charge including culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire, and inciting public disturbance.

Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur Yola remanded him on Wednesday after a court sitting at the Kano Magistrate Court, following his arrest by the Kano State Police Command on Wednesday.

The House majority leader was reportedly apprehended at the Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to board a flight to Abuja. The charges are said to be in relation to last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Prosecution state counsel, while addressing journalists after the arraignment of Doguwa and another defendant, noted that the case needs further studying before giving their legal advice on the next adjourned hearing.

Counsel to the victims of the crime at Doguwa and Tudun Wada Federal Constituency are hopeful that justice will prevail after outlining the heinous crime committed by Alhassan Doguwa on the day of elections.

The next adjourned date is March 7 for hearing of the bail application.