Doguwa: No order of mandamus issued against me, says Kano attorney general

Kano State Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawan, has refuted reports insinuating he received an order compelling him to prosecute alleged criminal charges against Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

The AG worried that a plaintiff failed to properly present an application granted by a state high court and deliberately chose to remain silent, to mislead the public on Doguwa’s trial.

Justice Maryam Sabo, on April 26, 2023, had granted leave, sequel to application filed by a retired Chief Magistrate, Muktari Dandago, seeking to compel the AG to prosecute alleged culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and other charges brought against Doguwa by the police.

Sections of the media, however, appeared to have misrepresented the order, reporting that the AG had been compelled to prosecute the defendant.

Lawan said: “No order of mandamus was issued against me, and if the plaintiff’s lawyers would remain professional and minister in the temple of justice, they should be able to come out clean, devoid of political sentiments and tell the whole truth to the public, what the order granted actually means.

“The lawyers that filed the case know that the matter was misrepresented but they have decided to remain silent because of politics. The application filed before the court was a leave for me to appear before the court, to explain why I should not be compelled to prosecute Doguwa.”

Lawan spoke to journalists, yesterday, when he appeared, to show cause why he should not be compelled to prosecute the embattled member representing Doguwa/Tudun-Wada federal constituency of Kano.

He added: “We were given a hearing notice, that the court will sit on Friday. But that did not hold and the case was adjourned to Monday. That is today (yesterday). And, of course, we came here as early as 9:00 a.m., and we were told the case would not go on because the judge is not back.

“We are ready to defend ourselves. I just hope this is not intentional, to delay proceedings or resume hearing when we are not here, and then accuse us of failure to appear before the court. Of course, the court has granted leave for us to appear to explain why an order of mandamus should not be granted against us on the prosecution of Doguwa.”

The case, scheduled for hearing yesterday, could not continue, following the absence of Justice Sabo, who was said to be away for the election petition tribunal in Adamawa State.