The Independent National Electoral Commission has withheld the return certificate of the House of Representatives majority leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, amid his murder trial.
In a memo seen by Peoples Gazette, INEC said the declaration of the APC lawmaker as a winner in the February 25 federal parliamentary election was made “under duress,” thereby withdrawing his certificate of return.
Mr Doguwa of the APC, representing the Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency of Kano, is standing trial on a six-count charge of conspiracy, culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt, arson, inciting public disturbance, and unlawful possession of firearms.
On Monday, the Kano Division of the Federal High Court admitted Mr Doguwa to N500 million bail in a case of an alleged murder. The case was adjourned until March 20 for a hearing.
Mr Doguwa was alleged to have conspired with others at large, shot one person to death, breached public peace and burnt the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) office in Tudun Wada Dankadai.