Tens of thousands people on Sunday gathered at Malam Aminu International Airport in Kano to welcome Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late military despot, General Sani Abacha.
Three days ago, a panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Justice Amina Augie controversially acquitted Mr. Al-Mustapha of a murder conviction in the 1995 assassination of Kudirat Abiola, a wife of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida regime.
Several judicial sources accused the appellate justices of releasing Mr. Mustapha after accepting a significant bribe from the convict and his associates. Numerous civil rights groups as well as family members of the late Kudirat Abiola have condemned the verdict, contending that it sent a signal that those who committed heinous crimes can buy their way out of the consequences of their acts.
Receiving the freed detainee at Government House, Kano, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso urged the thousands of people who besieged the venue to join the government in welcoming back Mr. Mustapha to Kano. The governor added that the crowd should also give thanks to Allah for making the former CSO’s release possible after more than twelve years in detention and jail.
“What happened to [Hamza Al-Mustapha] is a big lesson not only to the family but [also] to everyone of us,” said Governor Kwankwaso, adding, “but I give thanks to the judiciary for this bold verdict. The few times I visited him in prison, I saw the commitment and his faith in Allah. And it was obvious that he would one day regain his freedom and, today, that has been actualized. And the government, friends and associates of this great son will pull resources together to ensure his rehabilitation anywhere he chooses to live.”
The governor said he was particularly happy that the campaign for Al-Mustapha’s release yielded the desired result.
Delivering a vote of thanks, Fredrick Faseun of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) said he was delighted over Mr. Mustapha’s release. He added that he was overwhelmed by the huge crowd that gathered at the airport to receive the freed former aide to Mr. Abacha.
“Hamza Al-Mustapha was taken away in 1999 in tattered clothes and in chains under a pitiable situation. But today he has returned a hero. We have always insisted that he was unjustly held. We felt concerned and decided to be part of justice.”
Mr. Faseun stated: “I am happy that after a heavy rain, the sky is good. This is the only country we can call our own. We must eschew mutual hostility, mutual suspicion and build not only a good nation, but [also] a great nation.”
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