After more than two decades of uncertainty, an Upper Shari’a Court in Rijiyar Lemo, Kano, has acquitted one Sabi’u Aliyu of Unguwa Uku, who was charged with manslaughter in 2002 over the death of a cyclist.
Aliyu was accused of unintentionally killing the cyclist, Ibrahim Wada Musa in a road accident and was arraigned before the court that same year.
He was however granted bail soon after the initial hearing.
However, the trial was put on hold following a civil disturbance that led to the burning of the court building.
The case remained dormant for 23 years until it was recently revived.
Upon the revival, Aliyu’s defence counsel challenged the fresh charges, arguing that the lengthy delay violated legal procedures and infringed upon his client’s rights.
The counsel urged the court to dismiss the case, citing the expiration of the period within which charges should have been pursued.
In his ruling, Khadi Aliyu Jibrin Danzaki upheld the defence’s argument and acquitted the defendant, stating that the charges lacked legal merit due to procedural flaws and the extraordinary delay.
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