BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—After Nine Years of Inaction, Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the murder case against Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over the killing of Kudirat Abiola.
The murder charge against Al-Mustapha, instituted by the Lagos State Government, was struck out by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji.
In a unanimous decision, the apex court held that the Lagos State Government had lost interest in the prosecution and had effectively abandoned the case. Justice Aba-Aji noted that nine years was more than sufficient for the appellant to file a notice and brief of appeal.
The court further expressed displeasure over the absence of legal representation for the Lagos State Government and the failure to provide any explanation, despite having been served hearing notices since 2020. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the matter.
Kudirat Abiola was the wife of the late businessman and politician, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
She was assassinated in Lagos during the nationwide unrest that followed the annulment, amid her sustained campaign for the restoration of the mandate.
