A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Monday declared culpable homicide charges, including criminal conspiracy prosecution against the House of Representatives Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa as unconstitutional.
The Presiding Judge of the Court, Justice Mohammad Yunusa, further declared jurisdiction to hear and grant the N500 million bail on exparte application on the embattled majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.
Delivering judgment on the motion on notice filed by Doguwa against his fundamental right and unlawful detention by the lower court, Justice Yunusa held that Chief Magistrate Court lacked the jurisdiction to preside over any charge bordering on criminal conspiracy.
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Justice Yunusa equally cited section 251 (1) which exclusively granted the Federal court jurisdiction to hear cases on firearms as contained in the charges filed against Doguwa. Although the judge emphasized that granting Doguwa bail was not meant to prevent him from trial, Justice Yunusa insisted that due process must be followed.
In affidavits submitted before the court, Doguwa through his attorney, Nureini Jimoh, SAN, sought the enforcement of the fundamental rights of his client as guaranteed by the constitution and other lawful charters.
The senior lawyer claimed that Doguwa was detained by the police unlawfully and against his right to liberty and freedom as allowed under several provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended. As contained in the affidavits, the applicant’s lawyer had insisted the incarceration of his client by the Chief Magistrate was null and void and unconstitutional because lower courts lack the competence to trial criminal charges.
Dissatisfied with the order of the court setting Doguwa free, the prosecution counsel AB Saleh had queried the jurisdiction of the Federal high court to exercise the orders, insisting the action of Justice Yunusa amounted to gross abuse of court process.
The prosecution, in its 26 paragraphs counter-affidavits, maintained that police possess a statutory duty to investigate any related case of criminal conspiracy for any period of time adding that such action does not constitute any infringement of the fundamental right of the citizen.
In his Judgment, Justice Yunusa declared that citizens reserved the right under the provisions of section 46 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended to approach any high court to challenge an attempt or breach of his or her fundamental right.
Although Justice Yunusa admitted the provisions of the law which specifically mention the state high court within which offences on fundamental rights can be challenged.
He, however, revealed that both State and Federal high courts share concurrent jurisdiction to hear matters on fundamental rights.
He explained that Doguwa ought not to be remanded in the correctional facility in the first place because he was not arraigned and properly charged, adding that the police argument on holding charge before the lower court was not recognized by the constitution of the land.
The court, therefore, granted the application of the applicant, restraining the police from arresting, harassing, detaining or taking further action against Doguwa.
(Punch)
