The military junta’s infamous “ahaja kudirat abiola” murder trial has come to an end after decades of legal tigers in Lagos.
The Lagos State government attempted to prosecute Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former chief security officer of the late military dictator Sani Abacha, but the court rejected that effort.
The government’s delay was criticized by the justices, who noted that the state had not done anything for nine years even after receiving the order to reopen the case in 2014.
According to Persecondnews, Al-Mustapha was the main suspect in the 1993 presidential election winner’s wife, Chief MKO Abiola, who was killed in 1996.
The state’s failure to proceed with the appeal was described as “inexcusable” by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, who delivered the lead judgment.
The court upheld Al-Mustapha’s previous acquittal as a result of this “inexcusable” negligence, putting an end to the scandalous case.
Mr. Paul Daudu (SAN), Al-Mustapha’s attorney, told the court that Lagos State had not yet submitted an appeal or put any steps in place to implement the order that was given to it over nine years ago.
Daudu argued that the state’s failure to file an appeal in 2014 clearly demonstrated a lack of interest in the case’s development.
He pleaded with the judge to dismiss the appeal entirely on abandonment grounds.
Justice Aba-Aji confirmed from the court registrar that Lagos State had received hearing notices but did not appear or provide any justification.
The court determined in a quick decision that the appellant had more than enough time to file the necessary paperwork in nine years.
Despite being aware of the proceedings since 2020, the state government hasn’t made an appearance or spoken with the court, causing the panel to complain.
The appeal with the SC/CR/45/2014 mark was therefore dismissed.
On the same grounds, the Lagos State Government’s SC/CR/6/2014 appeal was also rejected.
The Supreme Court granted Lagos State the right to challenge the Court of Appeal’s judgment on July 12, 2013, which found Al-Mustapha innocent and discharged.
Lagos State was required to submit its notice of appeal within 30 days by a seven-member panel led by Justice Walter Onnoghen, the then-Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The state argued that the case needed to be reviewed and that the Court of Appeal’s finding that Al-Mustapha’s evidence was insufficient.
Persecondnews also recalls that a Lagos High Court sentenced Lateef Shofolahan, Mohammed Abacha, and Al-Mustafah to death by hanging for conspiracy and murder on January 30, 2012.
Source: Per Second News
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