An Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Rijiyar Lemo, Kano, has acquitted Sabi’u Aliyu of Unguwa Uku, who was charged with manslaughter in a case that remained unresolved for over two decades.
Aliyu was first arraigned in 2002 following allegations that he caused the death of a cyclist, Ibrahim Wada Musa, in a vehicular accident. Shortly after his arraignment, he was granted bail. However, the trial came to a halt when the court building was destroyed during civil unrest in the city. For 23 years, the case remained dormant.
Recently, the prosecution revived the matter, but the defence counsel challenged the re-filing, citing a violation of legal procedure and the defendant’s right to a fair trial due to the inordinate delay.
In his ruling, Khadi Aliyu Jibrin Danzaki agreed with the defence, stating that the long delay had rendered the prosecution’s case defective. The judge subsequently acquitted and discharged the defendant.
Aliyu, now in his late forties, expressed profound relief at the judgment, saying the long-standing case had caused considerable distress to him and his family.