Monday’s court judgment that sentenced Hamza al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Nigerian leader, General Sani Abacha, was an anti-climax to his trial, reports KUNLE ODEREMI.

The trial and judgment of the lower court, of Hamza al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer [CSO] to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha for the murder of Kudirat Abiola, has come and gone, but the memories will linger.

His decision to head for the appellate court through his counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, only marks the second stanza of what might again be another long-drawn legal battle. For about 12 years, the entire world was held spellbound by the theatrics that characterized the trial that culminated in the verdict of Justice Mojisola Dada, of the Lagos High Court on Monday. The verdict was that al-Mustapha and a former aide to Kudirat, Lateef Shofolahan should die by hanging. The trial assumed the most dramatic dimension last year when the former CSO literarily sang sonorously like a sunbird.

Like one of those whimsical movie actors, he gave the trial an uncommon character that kept many, including all parties to the case mouth-agape, wondering if the man was not saying more than necessary, or if most of the things he claimed happened then had any iota of truth. He rolled out some prominent names, who, according to him, should have cases to answer over what many perceived as the general sordid happenings during the Abacha era and the succeeding Abubakar regime.

Al-Mustapaha’s utterances provoked utter rage in the land. The anger was most pronounced among friends, relations, admirers and associates of the dead that he singled out as having compromised their integrity before Abacha, over the June 12 1993 presidential election and the incarceration of the winner, Chief MKO Abiola for proclaiming his sacred mandate. He made the allegations with relish as he claimed to possess video clips of the alleged details of how leaders like leader of the pan-Yoruba organization, Afenifere, Senator Abraham Adesanya; his deputy and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, were allegedly compromised in Aso Rock.

The lanky ex-CSO also took his battle to the corridors of former Nigerian leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar alleging that he could not absolutely absolve himself from some tragic episodes that almost dismembered the Nigerian federation.

Many picked up the gauntlet, believing that al-Mustapha had delivered the first salvo. A lot of people accused him of coming up with an alibi since he knew that a couple of those he named as having compromised on principle would not have an opportunity to defend themselves and enjoy the privilege of reply.  Some had likened the ‘disclosures’ of al-Mustapha to the predicament of a drowning man, who was allegedly desperately looking for others to accompany him. The fit of anger was not limited to the camp of the Yoruba leaders. He alleged that the leaders like Adesanya and Ige were induced in order to douse the tension occasioned by the sudden death of Abiola in detention.  But a former Minister of Works and Housing under the Abacha regime and second republic governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande came out stoutly to defend the integrity of the Yoruba leaders. He said, “I don’t believe him. It’s unbelievable because no Yoruba leader would work against Abiola. I think he (al-Mustapha) is just a desperate person who wants to get out of his predicament but it will be  very wrong for somebody to tell lies.”  The current leader of Afenifere, Pa Rueben Fasoranti also took him to the cleaners for alleged disparaging remarks about those leaders of blessed memory. He queried, “Why did he have to wait till now before he exploded? He’s talking ill of the dead because they have no chance to counter his allegations. I think that’s very unfair.”

On the other hand, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, initially maintained a dignified silence when most critics thought he had yet another opportunity to prevent his name from being dragged in the mud. This was against the weighty allegations al-mustapaha had levelled against the former leader, which include that Abiola was alleged murdered, claiming that he had the video. This claim was contrary to the general belief that Abiola’s death was natural. He also alleged that his boss was actually murdered, accusing Abdulsalami of complicity, adding that the plot was to kill the two the same day (that) Abacha died, but for his [al-Mustapha’s] intervention. This was part of the evidence he gave last year before Justice Mojisola Dada. He had also alleged that Abubakar was behind his being kept in custody perpetually, in spite of having allegedly influenced the emergence of Abubakar as Nigerian leader. “Abiola would have been killed the very day Abacha died, but I relocated him within the barracks and used the Strike Force to protect him from those who wanted to balance equation,” he had alleged.

However, when he eventually reacted to al-Mustapha’s allegations, Abubakar was diplomatic in his response. “Generals don’t just jump into a war. They take their time to plan for it. The whole issue about generals is that when they (generals) are preparing for battles, they make programmes and make plans. And when my plan is on, you will hear about it,” he told curious reporters who had insinuated that he was making a political statement. A legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), was also pissed by the outburst of the former CSO. He had challenged al-Mustapha to come out with facts on his claims. “Let him come out with facts, we are tired of sensationalism. If he is sure of what he is saying, he should come out and say those who killed Abacha and Chief Abiola,” Chief Babalola said.

While the trial of al-Mustapah lasted, it was a case of the substance and the shadow. Many observers tried to situate the twists and turns that characterized the trial on this score. Whether the issue has been finally settled will be determine by time. However, the battle for justice for Kudirat is one among the several cases of persons who suffered grave bodily harm and discomfort. It is one among many families, who have been thrown into everlasting tears and sorrow for losing their bread winners, promising siblings and other relations to the hail of bullets from heartless agents of the state. Perhaps, many people have forgotten how scores of young men and women were sent to their early graves by the members of the special ‘kill and go’ squad that was dispatched by the Abacha regime to clamp down heavily on June 12 activists on the streets of Lagos.

As al-Mustapha returns to court to save himself from the hangman’s noose, his relations and friends are stepping up moves to see how the system can temper justice with mercy. This move could be seen in the light of the reported meeting of some northern leaders, especially traditional rulers barely 24 hours after the judgment was delivered in Lagos.  The waiting game may have started for all the parties involved in the case of the killing of a woman many have come to regard as an Amazon in the mould of Corazon Aquino of the Philippines over where the pendulum of justice will swing at the final bus stop.