The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has adjourned Rep Alhassan Doguwa’s suit until September 25 to allow the Kano State government to study the outcome of the police report on an allegation of murder against the lawmaker.
Justice Donatus Okorowo adjourned the matter following an oral application by counsel to the governor and the state’s Attorney-General (A-G), M. K. Umar, to allow him to study Exhibit 10 (police report) annexed to the further and better affidavit filed by Mr Doguwa in response to their objection.
Upon resumed hearing, Mr Umar, while disagreeing with Afam Osigwe, SAN, who represented Mr Doguwa, said the state government was not looking for the lawmaker because of the violence that erupted during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano or on the firearm issue.
He said contrary to the argument of the learner Silk, Mr Doguwa was wanted in Kano to answer to the allegation of homicide preferred against him by the state government.
Justice Okorowo then asked Mr Umar if he had read Exhibit 10, attached to Mr Doguwa’s further and better affidavit, but Mr Umar admitted he was yet to see the exhibit.
The judge said in the exhibit, which was the second report of the police, the outcome of the investigation showed that the embattled lawmaker was absolved of any complicity in the killings that occurred during the electioneering period.
The investigation, the court noted, was done by the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.
Mr Umar, therefore, asked for an adjournment to allow him to study the exhibit and for further instruction from his clients.
The matter was adjourned until September 25 for a continuation of the hearing.
Mr Doguwa, through his lawyer, had filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/831/23 to seek an order enforcing its fundamental rights.
In the suit, the lawmaker, who represents Doguwa/Tundun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the IGP, the executive governor of Kano State and the Attorney-General as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.
In a motion ex-parte earlier moved by Mr Osigwe on June 20, Mr Doguwa sought the protection of the court against the alleged plan by the state government to rearrest and detain him in connection with the electoral violence that ensued during the elections, leading to the death of some people in the state.
Justice Okorowo had ordered the parties in the suit to maintain status pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Although the judge did not grant all the prayers sought, he ordered Mr Doguwa to put the defendants on notice for them to show cause why his prayers should not be granted on the next adjourned date.
When the matter came up on June 27, the court adjourned until today after Mr Osigwe complained that he was served late with the defence response and would need time to reply.
Justice Okorowo, who adjourned the case, extended the earlier interim order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the main matter.
(NAN)