Al-Mustapha : Braithwaite, Musa, Adebanjo, others react

CONDEMNED—Major Hamazat Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, (left) at the Federal High Court Igbosere, Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

AFTER 159 months of trial, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State General Sani Abacha and Lateef Shofolahan were yesterday sentenced to death by hanging by a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere over the murder of  Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola.
The verdict drew mixed reactions from the Abiola family, Al-Mustapha’s family and eminent Nigerians. Most of them said the trial adjudged as the longest criminal trial in the nation’s history having been initiated in October 1998 and lasting exactly 13 years and three months met the expectations of observers.

Among those, who spoke on the ruling, yesterday, were veteran Presidential Candidate, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, legal icons -Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Ladi Wiiliams (SAN), Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Maxi Okwu, Ayo Adebanjo, Clement Udegbe and Bamidele Aturu. Others include Kudirat’s daughter – Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello; Dr Frederick Fasehun, Alhaji Yerima Shetima Usman, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Reuben Fasoranti.
God doesn’t sleep, justice for my mum at last – Hafsat
An elated Hafsat, said though the ruling was late it would serve as notice to those in government, who felt they could do anything and get away with it.
Her words: “God doesn’t sleep. Justice for my mum at last. So happy. I am very happy for getting justice although it is coming a little late since the woman they murdered had been in the grave for about 15 years. However this will serve as notice to those in government who think they can just do anything. One day , they will give account of their actions.
“For all those involved in the prosecution, it is a good omen particularly for lawyers that continued to press the charges. This is also going to be a joyous moment for the pro-democracy people since democracy has lost a lot of people. I salute the courage of some of those in the judicial sector for having the courage to deliver justice.”
It’s well desered-  Jamiu Abiola
In his reaction, son of the late Kudirat and a Lagos-based business magnate, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola, described the judgment as long deserved.
“I’m very much happy that judgment has eventually come over those who killed my mother. You and I know that whether the legal period is long or not does not apply to the law. And that definitely whether long or short, judgment will come one day and that is exactly what we have seen. “My message to the Judiciary is that they should continue to be above board and do their job independently without influence because, they are the hope of the common man and many Nigerians and even in the outside world are looking up to them.”

The punishment fit the crime - Braithwaite
National Chairman of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), Braithwaite, said the judgment was right and congratulated the judge for doing her duty in an era when people thought they could always get away with impunity.
“I think it is the right judgment. The word of God said those who take the sword shall fall by the sword. Al’Mustapha had shed innocent blood. The punishment fits the crime. I have to congratulate the judge for doing her duty. Because of the widespread corruption in this country many were beginning to think that people could get away with murder. We are beginning to see that a revolution will come that will take care of all that. Seeing what is happening, it is clear that Nigeria is going through the urgently needed revolution. I urge people to read my book: Jurisprudence of the living oracles serialised last year,” he said.

Source: VANGUARD