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Tag: Al-Mustapha

  • Al-Mustapha, Natasha, others blame north’s woes on region’s leaders

    Al-Mustapha, Natasha, others blame north’s woes on region’s leaders

    …Sardauna will shed tears if he wakes up to see underdeveloped north – Al-Mustapha

    Stakeholders, policymakers, and religious leaders gathered at Arewa House in Kaduna to reflect on the life and legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first Premier of the northern region.

    The event also served as a platform to critique Northern leaders for their role in the region’s stagnation. 

    Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, described Sardauna as a visionary leader committed to the Northern Region’s infrastructural and economic development.

    He lamented that successive leaders have abandoned Sardauna’s legacies, leaving the region in a state of decline.

    “If Sardauna were alive today to see the North, he would shed tears,” Al-Mustapha said. 

    He urged the organisers of the event, titled “Remembering Sardauna,” to invite prominent figures like General Yakubu Gowon and General TY Danjuma to next year’s commemoration, which will mark the 60th anniversary of Sardauna’s death. 

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    Labour Party chieftain Dr. Yunusa Tanko called on Nigerians to reflect, learn from past mistakes, and prepare for the future, especially ahead of the 2027 elections. 

    Senator Natasha Akpoti, representing Kogi Central, highlighted Sardauna’s contributions to regional prosperity, noting that his initiatives brought investments and set the North on a path of economic growth. She lamented that the region has experienced a steady decline since his death. 

    In his welcome address, Malam Balarabe Rufai, National President of the Rebuild AREWA Initiative for Development (RAI4D), emphasized the group’s mission to foster peace, unity, and sustainable development across the region through collaborative efforts. 

    The event underscored the importance of revisiting Sardauna’s vision to inspire positive change and development in Northern Nigeria.

    “It also articulated broad and specific objectives to successfully execute its mandate based on need-based thematic areas and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as well as outcomes.

    “The Remembrance Day Commemoration in memory of the Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, KBE, the one and only Premier of Northern Nigeria, and Sardauna of Sokoto serves as an emotional annual reflection on his life and legacy.

    “His visionary leadership, tragically cut short, continues to resonate, prompting both celebration of his achievements and a critical examination of the present state of the North. Northernization policy, a stark reality remains: his ambitious plan for a prosperous and equitable Northern Nigeria remain largely unrealized,” he said.

    “Sir Ahmadu Bello’s impact was multifaceted.  He understood that true progress required a holistic approach.  His establishment of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, exemplifies his belief in human capital development,” he said.

    In a communique at the end of the occasion, tagged “Seminar on Adopting the Legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello for Sustainable Peace, unity and Development of Northern Nigeria stated that “we, the representatives of stakeholders across Northern Nigeria, comprising traditional leaders, policymakers, academicians, youth leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, convened to deliberate on the enduring legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.”

    The communique signed by Malam Balarabe Rufai and   Mr. Abel Abaji, National President and Chairman of LOC respectively, acknowledged late Sardauna’s vision, leadership, and contributions to the development, unity, and peace of Northern Nigeria and recognised the relevance of his principles in addressing contemporary challenges in the region.

    “Having critically examined the region’s current challenges, we hereby resolve to make the following fundamental observations and adopt as well as adapt the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello as guiding principles for sustainable peace, unity, and development in Northern Nigeria.”

    “Arewa, Northern Nigeria faces several fundamental challenges that have impeded its development and stability.

    “These challenges are deeply rooted in historical, socio-economic, political, and cultural contexts. Below is an overview of the key challenges: Education Deficit Low Literacy Rates: Northern Nigeria has some of the lowest literacy rates in the country, with a significant gender gap in education.”

    “Almajiri System: The traditional Islamic education system, while culturally significant, often lacks integration with modern education, leaving many children without basic literacy and numeracy skills.

    “Inadequate Infrastructure: Schools in the region often suffer from poor facilities, overcrowding, and a lack of qualified teachers.

    Terrorism and Insurgency: “The activities of groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have devastated communities, disrupted education, and caused significant displacement of people.

    “Banditry and Kidnapping: Armed bandits and kidnappers have escalated violence in rural areas, targeting civilians, schools, and travellers. Ethno-Religious Conflicts: Longstanding tensions between different ethnic and religious groups have led to periodic outbreaks of violence.”

    “Economic Underdevelopment High Unemployment Rates: Youth unemployment is rampant, contributing to poverty, crime, and vulnerability to recruitment by insurgent groups.

    “Dependence on Agriculture: While agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, it remains largely subsistence-based, with limited mechanization and access to markets. Infrastructure Deficits: Poor road networks, limited electricity supply, and inadequate water systems hinder economic growth,” they noted among others.

  • PPN strategises for Al-Mustapha in Southwest

    The Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) has begun consultation and mobilisation in the Southwest for its presidential candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha.

    PPN National Chairman Razak Eyiowuawi said the party is drumming support for Al-Mustapha’s candidacy and showcasing his ideals. He said the party will later move to other regions for mobilisation.

    Eyiowuawi, who spoke at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, shortly after the Southwest PPN Stakeholders meeting, said the party was leaving no stone unturned in shoring up its membership and support base ahead of the election.

    At the meeting attended by  leaders across the Southwest, the leadership of the Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Eyiowuawi said success in the area of harmonisation and working together for Al-Mustapha’s success at the poll was achieved.

    Among PPN chairmen at the meeting are Ismail Ajewumi (Southwest), Raji Olalekan (Oyo), Dare Adekolu (Ekiti), Akintunde Adesoji (Osun), Bola Oyedele (Ogun), Adegboyega Adeniji (Lagos) and Aforolagba Hassan (Ondo).

    He said PPN elected the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as the presidential flagbearer, in view of his vision and mission for the country’s revival. He added: “Nigerians will be better for it if they can allow the visions to materialise by voting for him”.

    Eyiowuawi, who expressed delight at the love and support being shown to the flagbearer, said that “PPN is planning a programme whereby Al-Mustapha will dialogue one on one with Nigerians. People of all classes will have the opportunity to relate directly with him and he will unveil his agenda, vision and mission and how he hopes to put the country back on track.

    He added: “We are convinced that Nigeria needs a leader who has the knowledge and experience of the economy and as well security. These we have in Al-Mustapha.

    “He has very good experience as regards economy and that of the nation. Till today, it was under Abacha, that Nigeria had the most stable economy, and he was a key player then. One major problem of the nation is plundering and waste of resources which Al-Mustapha has vowed to prevent.

    “He is a security strategist: that is what Nigeria needs now to combat the various security challenges facing it,” Eyiowuawi said.

     

  • I know nothing about Abacha loot, says Al-Mustapha

    Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former Head of State General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not fighting corruption, but only chasing the shadow.

    This was as he said he knew nothing about the controversial ‘Abacha loot’.

    Al-Mustapha spoke yesterday in Kaduna during an interactive session with the Christian community, under the auspices of United Christian Leaders, Eagle Eye Forum and 40 Christian Pressure Groups, during which he was asked to contest as Nigeria’s president.

    Speaking on corruption, Al-Mustapha said EFCC came overnight with few equipment and personnel and started making the loudest noise.

    “That is why I have likened it to small monkey given a thread to arrest an elephant. The monkey is always busy looking for the elephant. It was given binoculars to look for an elephant that is so close to it, but it is busy arresting ants and abandoning the elephant that is busy destroying the animal kingdom. That is what is going on today.

    “If you have to fight corruption in Nigeria, you have to tackle from multi-faceted angles, rather this small structure called the EFCC, which is not enough to fight corruption. It requires a bigger body that has the capacity of intelligence that can reach out to the international community to get our stolen funds stached abroad and equally prosecute, rather than relying on the regular Police to do that,” he said.

    On the Abacha loot, the former CSO to the late Head of State said he knew nothing about the so-called Abacha loot, even though the government had failed to respond to his challenge to state ‘when did Abacha take the money abroad, before or while in government’.

  • Al-Mustapha mulls joining Presidential race

    Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, says he will join the presidential race if prevailed upon by Nigerians to do so.
    Al-Mustapha gave the indication Wednesday in Kaduna in an interview shortly after a meeting with United Christian Leaders Eagle Eye Forum which backed him to join the 2019 presidential race.

    “I am not going to announce myself contesting for a presidential seat, but if people say so that, is the wishes of the people.

    ”I am not a power tasty person, if I am, I would have lost my personality long before now, but when people gather to speak and the decision is by them,then it is a call to serve,” the retired Army Major said.
    According to him, his focus is the protection of the right of Nigerians as provided under the law.
    Al-Mustapha also spoke on the security situation in the country and called for the reintroduction of toll gates, which he described as an effective buffer of uncovering illegal weapons and movement of criminals.

    He also called for the overhaul of the Police Act to strengthen policing at the local level in the country.

    Al-Mustapha particularly said local government councils must be allowed to work effectively, so as to tackle local challenges including security.
    He described the efforts of the EFCC in fighting corruption “as a small monkey given a thread to arrest an elephant, but abandoned it and is busy destroying the animal kingdom.
    “If you have to fight corruption in Nigeria, you have to tackle it from multi faceted angles; the EFCC is not strong enough to fight corruption.
    “It requires a bigger body that has the capacity of intelligence that can reach out to the international community to get our stolen funds stashed abroad and equally prosecute rather than relying on the regular Police to do that.”
    On the the Abacha loot, the former CSO to the late Head of State said, he knew nothing about it.
    “The fact that some of Nigerian leaders  were corrupt does not mean that everyone that serve in government is a thief. Some of us can stand and challenge any institution or individual any day any time.
    “Stealing is not what you require, but its service to the nation that matters. Any money that you steal not  to render service to the people makes the owner an illiterate, vision less storekeeper.”
    Earlier, Chairman of the United Christian Leaders Eagle Eye Forum Pastor Aminchi Habu, said the  forum,  after critical analysis and observations has endorsed Al-Mustapha to contest in the upcoming Presidential election
    in 2019.
    He said the Forum will stand with Al-Mustapha once he makes up his mind to run for the presidency because of his
    integrity.(NAN)

  • EFCC chasing shadows – Al-Mustapha

    Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the ex-Chief Security Officer to late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, said on Wednesday the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is not fighting corruption but chasing shadows.

    He also denied knowledge of the controversial “Abacha loot.”

    Al-Mustapha spoke during an interactive session with the Christian community, under the auspices of United Christian Leaders, Eagle Eye Forum and 40 Christian Pressure Groups in Kaduna.

    He was also asked at the event to vie for the presidency in 2019.

    Speaking on corruption, Al-Mustapha said “EFCC came overnight with few equipment and personnel and started making the loudest noise. That is why I have likened it to small monkey given a thread to arrest an elephant. The monkey is always busy looking for the elephant. It was give binoculars to look for an elephant that is so close to it, but it is busy arresting ants and abandoned the elephant that is busy destroying the animal kingdom. That is what is going on today.

    “If you have to fight corruption in Nigeria, you have to tackle from multi-faceted angles, rather this small structure called the EFCC, which is not enough to fight corruption. It requires a bigger body that has the intelligence that can reach out to the international community to get our stolen funds stashed abroad and equally prosecute rather than relying on the regular police to do that.”

     

     

  • Al-Mustapha and the death of conscience

    Al-Mustapha and the death of conscience

    The story of the Abacha years was that Major Al-Mustapha had the ears of the Master. As the Chief Security Officer of the Security Unit at the Villa, he also had the back of the dictator. He was the overall boss of the Strike Force Unit, a position which he used to terrorise the nation on behalf of the interest of the junta. He deployed the Force on assassination assignments, and as Sergeant Barnabas Jabila Mshiola, aka Sgt. Rogers revealed, it was the Force that silenced Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, among others. However, while a High Court convicted him of the murder, an Appeals Court acquitted him.

    Since his acquittal, the man has yielded no ground to the truth. As a dead conscience would, he equated legal freedom with innocence, forgetting, as our people know so well, that if you shoot an arrow and take cover under a mortal, you may avoid being apprehended by earthlings; but you cannot escape the judgment of the one who sees through the thickest fog of lies.

    Al-Mustapha is back in the news again. About a year ago, he decided to open the wound that he and his ilk inflicted on our national body with a jubilant press announcement of a multi-volume memoir from the devil’s archives. He will not be the first to try to profit from evil. Conscience is supposed to pinch us against moral perversion. But when it is dead, anything goes. So, it has been the case with moral monsters in our midst.

    The freest and fairest election in the history of the nation was annulled and the presumed winner was incarcerated and eventually killed. As the Chief Security Officer to the maximum ruler, the brutal dictator on whose order Abiola was detained, Al-Mustapha had the power to make life miserable for Abiola and he did not pull back. With penchant for occasional mockery and jeers, he made himself a terror to fear. Now, he wants to rewrite history and he seems to have some willing ears and eyes.

    To maintain a presence in the news cycle and keep the book narrative alive, Al-Mustapha has decided to intrude into our thought-space with cock and bull stories that defy commonsense. Since the book is still in the works, he will do us a lot of favor by providing answers to some nagging questions.

    First, Al-Mustapha has told the nation that he knows the cause of the death of both General Abacha and Chief Abiola. In addition to that important revelation, can he also tell us why he has kept this information to himself in the last 19 years, knowing well that human lives were taken away unjustly and the nation needed the answer?

    Second, why did Al-Mustapha fail to provide this information to law enforcement agencies? And why was he not forthcoming with this vital information at the Oputa panel and during his trials? Assume that Al-Mustapha is right and Abacha and Chief Abiola were friends, is keeping sealed lips about the cause of the death of his boss and his friend a manifestation of loyalty or betrayal?

    Third, in view of his strategic position and closeness to General Abacha and his killer squad, it stands to reason that Al-Mustapha would have information not just about the death of his boss but also about all the other killings, including the broad daylight murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola 21 years ago. The blood of the innocent will ceaselessly haunt the perpetrators of the heinous acts of cowardice, especially when they have not paid for the crime. Will Al-Mustapha help himself and redeem his soul by coming out clean regarding his role?

    In the public space, there are tapes of the confession of Sergeant Rogers who claimed that Al-Mustapha ordered the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and others, two of which failed. The two attempts that failed were those of Chief Alex Ibru and Pa Abraham Adesanya. Informed about the denial of Al-Mustapha, Sergeant Rogers also reasoned that it takes more than the spirit of a man to admit responsibility. Rogers submitted that Al-Mustapha had the power to order anyone from any unit to carry out assassination.

    Of course, he was tried and acquitted of any wrongdoing. But if he escapes the long hands of legal justice, he must be acutely naïve to think that he his soul is not subject to eternal torture should he fail to confess and plead for forgiveness.

    Fourth, contrary to a consensus not only of enlightened opinion on the matter of Abacha loot but also of information from banks and financial institutions through which the funds were siphoned, Al-Mustapha has come out in defense of his late boss. In a May 2016 interview, he came up with a warped reasoning, that when Nigeria was threatened with sanctions by the international community upon the request of some prominent citizens, the Abacha government decided “to allow some money go (sic) to some accounts abroad, so that if the sanction comes, that money would be able to keep Nigeria afloat.” Incredible!

    Pray, if the international community threatened sanction, what sense would it make to give them easy access to Nigeria’s funds stacked in banks located in their territories? And were those funds saved in the name of Nigeria or in the name of Sani Abacha? There is a more relevant question: If there was no Abacha loot, what is the source of the recoveries made since 1999? Who owned the repatriated funds?

    Fifth, Al-Mustafa keeps insulting the intelligence of reasonable people with his allegations of coverup in the death of Chief Abiola. He has accused the leaders of Afenifere of knowingly protecting the killers of Abiola. He has peddled this lie for so long that inquisitive minds should wonder why he would not himself declare to the world who the killers are. If he videotaped the scene where Abiola’s killers gave dollars to Opadokun and others in exchange for their silence, then he obviously knows the killers. And presumably he was not bribed by the killers. So, what prevents Al-Mustapha from unmasking the killers since 1998? Does anyone really find him believable? As an insider in the sordid events in the last days of Abacha and Abiola, Mustapha owes his conscience the truth.

    Sixth, Al-Mustapha claims to have a video coverage of how money exchanged hands inside Aso Rock villa during the visit of Afenifere leaders. Did he have the video during his appearance before the Oputa Panel? Why did he not ask that it be released to the public? He now claims that the video is with the Lagos State High Court which tried him for murder. Since he was acquitted of the crime, why can’t he demand the release of the tape to him so he can show it to the world?

    Seventh, Al-Mustapha wants the world to believe that he loved Abiola and his wife and all he is doing is what a true friend would do in the circumstance. In other words, he cared so much for Abiola that he did not want to leave any stone unturned in unveiling his killers. Therefore, he has accused Chief Opadokun of being silenced by bribe. But how did this true friend protect Abiola when, as Chief Security Officer of the vicious General, he exercised the power of life and death over Abiola? Did he plead Abiola’s case before Abacha? Did Mustapha allow Abiola to receive the medical attention that could have saved his life?

    Eighth, Al-Mustapha has also expressed concern for Yoruba culture and he did not hide his outrage that the Are Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba nation was killed and Yoruba leaders who visited Aso Rock Villa did not feel sorry for their loss. If this is not a deliberate effort to create confusion and division among the Yoruba leadership and followers, it is hard to know what else it is? What does one really make of a mind so debased? Many have described Al-Mustapha as a pathological liar. I think it is much more than this. This man has an evil mind.

     

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  • Opadokun, others know Abiola’s killers, says Al-Mustapha

    Opadokun, others know Abiola’s killers, says Al-Mustapha

    Ex-NADECO Secretary: he is a pathological liar

    Former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and Afenifere Secretary Mr. Ayo Opadokun yesterday denied receiving bribe from former military Head of Sate Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar to maintain a sealed lip over the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
    He was reacting to the allegation by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, that he and some Yoruba leaders were bribed, following the controversial death of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
    Opadokun, who spoke with The Nation on phone, described Mustapha as a pathological liar, urging Nigerians to ignore his falsehood.
    He said: “Mustapha is a pathological liar seeking for attention. Sensible people should ignore people with low self-esteem and character. Two years ago, when he was being tried for the murder of Kudirat Abiola, he made a false allegation against NADECO leaders that when we were invited by Abdulsalami Abubakar, that we were angry when we entered the office and laughing when we came out.
    “I confronted him. He recounted that we did not collect money. He is seeking for attention to make himself relevant. Where were Yoruba leaders bribed to keep silent? What denominations were used to bribe them? Where was he? He is a charlatan.
    “As soon as his boss died, because of his insolent conduct against his superiors, he was deployed to Enugu and his lieutenants were also deployed out of Aso Rock. So, how did Mustapha know what was happening? He should be ignored.
    “I was in Ikoyi prison when Abiola died. It was five days after my release that we visited the former military Head of State. Yoruba leaders fought for June 12 and the revalidation of the annulled mandate. Mustapha was a wicked instrument for tormenting Abiola. One day, he will have to account for his deeds.”

    Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha, has alleged that some Yoruba leaders, led by Chief Ayo Opadokun, knew those who killed the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

    Al-Mustapha was remanded in prison for 14 years in connection with the mysterious death of Abiola and his wife, Mrs. Kudirat Abiola.

    Speaking with reporters in Kaduna yesterday, after a meeting to broker peace between the North and Southeast, he alleged that the Yoruba leaders received bribe in dollars from the killers of MKO.

    He claimed that Opadokun led others to the Villa to meet Abiola’s killers, but came out laughing after receiving dollars, just a day after MKO was killed.

    Al-Mustapha, who claimed to have videotaped how Opadokun and others collected the bribe, said he had since submitted a copy to a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada.

    According to Al-Mustapha, “Chief Opadokun is someone I respect so much as an elder. But what came out in the newspaper was his own imagination and falsehood against me. If you know my character, you will know that I will not be scared to say the truth. It does not matter who and it does not matter where; but you will later realise that I told you the truth. I initially didn’t want to reply him, but now that you have asked, I will tell you what happened.

    “When Abiola died, a day after, he (Opadokun) was invited to the Presidency and he came to the Villa alongside his friends. He came with anger into the Villa.

    “Those who killed Abiola invited him to the Villa. At that material time, they came to fight the government; they wanted to set the country ablaze, considering the tone they came with. They went into the meeting, they came out laughing, yelling and gearing as if nothing happened in the country.

    “A day after Abiola’s death, if you remember, the country was on the verge of collapse. But seeing what was going on and the things around Abiola led me to suspect them. I had not handed over the Villa to Abdulsalami Abubakar’s government then. So, I decided to videotape what they were doing and I have the tape and I have tendered the tape before a court of law, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court.

    “In that tape, money exchanged hands and they traded with Abiola and that is my anger. The tape is in that court. Anybody that wants to watch it can get it and watch. It is now a public document. I didn’t want to talk about it before, but money was brought from the Central Bank (CBN) in my presence and it was shared.

    “So, if I talk about Abiola’s well-being and safety, and that of his family, I am telling Nigerians what really happened. Why should a person from the same Southwest, who is supposed to protect Abiola’s interest, now be seen to be angry with me? He should be happy with me for saying the fact, so that it will not happen again in Nigeria.

    “Now, they have forgotten about Abiola but the moment I talk, they will come on the pages of newspapers and start insulting me. I didn’t want to respond to them, but since you have asked, I have to say this. All they have done is that they took money and the moment you talk about Abiola, you become their enemies and they will abuse you in the papers. That is what they are doing to me; but I don’t care.

    “In Yoruba land where culture is the watchword, the late MKO Abiola was the last Aare Ona Kakanfo and for a Yoruba man of Opadokun’s standing, going against Aare Ona Kakanfo, what is that thing? I tell you, it is dollars. Thank you very much, I will speak more on this much later God’s willing,” said Al-Mustapha.

  • Kudirat Abiola’s murder: Lagos ’can’ appeal al-Mustapha’s acquittal

    Kudirat Abiola’s murder: Lagos ’can’ appeal al-Mustapha’s acquittal

    THE Supreme Court has granted permission to Lagos State to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which acquitted former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. Hamza al-Mustapha.

    Al-Mustapha and an aide to the late MKO Abiola, Lateef Sofolahan, were tried at the Lagos High Court for the murder of Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996.

    The court convicted them in a January 2012 judgment and sentenced them to death for the murder.

    They appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which, on July 12, 2013, discharged and acquitted them, a decision the Lagos State government intended to challenge at the Supreme Court.

    Yesterday, a five-man panel of the court, led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, in a ruling, granted an application by the state government for leave to appeal out of time.

    The court ordered Lagos to file its notice of appeal within 30 days from yesterday, following which a date would be set for hearing.

    The ruling was given yesterday after lawyer to Al-Mustapha, Joseph Daudu (SAN), withdrew his earlier objection to the application. Daudu, in his objection, urged the court to refuse the application on the grounds that the state did not place sufficient materials before the court to justify why it failed to appeal within time.

    Reacting to the court’s decision, Chairman of the Arewa Young Lawyers Forum (AYLF), Sadiq Abubakar Ilela, who witnessed the proceedings, hailed the ruling.

    Ilela, who said he was in court with some members of his group to show support for Al-Mustapha, said the leave granted Lagos would allow the court to determine the case on merit.

    “We were in court to show support to the respondents. We believe in the rule of law.

    “We are convinced that, with the ruling, parties now have the opportunity to present their cases before the court to enable it make an informed decision and determine the case on merit,” Ilela said.

  • Al-Mustapha gets honorary doctorate

    Al-Mustapha gets honorary doctorate

    Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha (rtd), the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late General Sani Abacha, is now a doctoral degree holder, courtesy of Esep-le Berger University in the Republic of Benin.

    Al-Mustapha was conferred with Doctor of Humanities (Honorary Causa) during the institution’s convocation, penultimate Saturday. He was honoured together with five notable Nigerians, including the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, former Kaduna governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, popular musician, Segun Akinlolu (Beautiful Nubia), chairman Bauchi State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Muhammed Gital, and Alhaji Jubril Muhammed.

    About 700 graduands were churned out by the university at the ceremony held at Palais De Congress in Cotonou. No fewer than 2,000 guests, including top business leaders across Africa, attended the event. Some of the graduands were from West African countries.

    For Al-Mustapha, it was an honour away from home. President and founder of the university, Prof Germain Ganlonon, who decorated Al-Mustapha with academic gown, said the institution selected Al-Mustapha for the honour because of his activities towards emancipating the downtrodden.

    Al-Mustapha said the honour was a challenge for him to step up his humanitarian activities, saying: “Whatever anybody does, people are watching and they will reward individuals according to the service they render to lift humanity.”

    He assured the university management of his commitment to building a working relationship between the school and the Nigerian Institute of Peace and Social Rehabilitation, which he founded. He advised the school authorities to make trust the bedrock of all their activities.

    He said: “The rail of life is called trust. This is what takes you to your destiny. In the absence of trust, nothing will work. No institution can stand. No leader can work successfully. Trust is actually the link in every affairs of human in life.

    “Trust brings about strong leadership, as well as platform for learning. I urged the university authorities to dwell more on researches centred on trust and how it can be used as a tool to enhance bilateral trade and peaceful relationship between Republic of Benin and Nigeria.”

    Al-Mustapha, whose foundation has been giving scholarship to indigent students and sponsoring many developmental projects in the Northeast, said aside from the past histories, both Anglophone and francophone countries in Africa are the same. He said the differences in languages and past histories are imaginary demarcations slowing Africa’s development.

    Al-Mustapha urged the graduating students to work for the progress of Africa.

    He added: “You must contribute your quota to the development of your professions and Africa. Africa needs development, but its salvation would be anchored by the youths. Use your knowledge to create jobs and business opportunities. As graduates, you should adjust and be on your feet, so that you can be part of the generation changing the world.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Edouard Aho, said the honorees had history of commitment and service to humanity. The ideal, he said, is the bedrock of the institution.

    He said: “Our awardees are people with excellent track record in their various disciplines and areas. The school authorities have found them worthy of these honours and we are glad to see them attending the occasion.”

    The guest lecturer, Comrade Shola Akinbinu, said Africa countries needed to improve their education standard in order to overcome the challenges posed by advancement pf technology. Akinbinu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, noted also that there was need to redesign the curriculum for learning. Such method, he said, should be tailored towards counselling, coaching and mentoring the students.

  • Nothing like Abacha loot, says al-Mustapha

    Nothing like Abacha loot, says al-Mustapha

    The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat al-Mustapha yesterday said there is “nothing like Abacha loot.

    He said he does not harbour grudges against his prosecutors and Sergeant Rogers, who was the prosecution witness in court, adding that he has taken solace in God’s blessings. He said he was also consoled by the fact that some members of the panel that tried him had washed their hands clean because he was being victimised.

    The military officer, who was released from detention three years ago, promised to release his memoir, which he said, will give details on his involvement in the Abacha government, its economic activities, how the military leader died and his travails outside power.

    Mustapha disputed the claim of an Abacha loot, urging the authorities to disclose the date of lodgment, the people behind the money and the amount. He said while Abacha left 9.732 dollars in the coffers, it was mismanaged by the administration that cried foul about an Abacha loot.

    The said his next move would be determined by the outcome of the case for the determination of his military status by the court.

    The former CSO spoke with reporters in Lagos on his ordeal in detention, his protracted trial alleged moves to continually tarnish Abacha’s image because he stepped on toes.

    Denying the allegation of assisting the former military leader to ferry money abroad, he said: “The proper facts about the Abacha loot are not known. Where was the money from? What was it meant for? How was it taken out? Who kept the money there? Abacha was not leaving Nigeria at a later time. His journeys were within Africa because the toes he had stepped upon were bent on removing him.

    “In November 1998, I told the government to prosecute me, if I have any bank account than my salary account with the Bank of the North.”

    Mustapha, who said he is recuperating from the trauma of detention, torture and protracted trial, urged Nigerians to wait for his book. He lamented that an earlier book written by Gen. M.T Alli was not allowed to circulate because it exposed the atrocities of many Nigerian leaders.

    He said: “I am just recuperating from what I went through. I went through punishment and torture. I was in chains. I was not allowed to see a doctor, family and lawyer. There was no light in my cell. I only wore my singlet, which was full of blood. You sighted food and you are denied. I was treated like an animal.