An Upper Shari'a Court sitting in Rijiyar Lemo, Kano, has finally acquitted a man of manslaughter charges after an extraordinary 23-year delay in legal proceedings, bringing closure to one of the state's longest-running criminal cases.

Sabi'u Aliyu of Unguwa Uku, who was first arraigned in 2002 on allegations of causing the death of cyclist Ibrahim Wada Musa in a vehicular accident, was granted bail shortly after his initial court appearance. However, the case subsequently fell into legal limbo when the court building was destroyed during civil unrest that affected the city.

For more than two decades, the case remained dormant until prosecutors recently attempted to revive it. Upon the reintroduction of the case, Aliyu's defense counsel challenged the validity of the fresh charges, arguing that the extensive delay violated legal procedure and the defendant's constitutional right to a fair trial.

In his ruling, Khadi Aliyu Jibrin Danzaki agreed with the defense's position, stating that the 23-year delay had fundamentally compromised the prosecution's case, rendering it defective. The court subsequently acquitted and discharged the defendant.

Aliyu, now in his late forties, expressed profound relief following the court's decision. He noted that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the case had placed significant emotional and psychological strain on both him and his family for more than two decades.

The case highlights significant concerns about delays in Nigeria's judicial system and raises questions about the impact of such protracted proceedings on the administration of justice. Legal experts have pointed to this case as an example of why judicial reforms focused on timely case resolution are essential for maintaining public confidence in the legal system.