Lagos State Government’s application for extension of time on Monday stalled hearing in the appeal filed by Major Hamza Al-mustapha, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late General Sani Abacha.
Also involved in the appeal was Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, an aide to late business mogul, Chief M.K.O Abiola.
The duo were challenging the death sentence passed on them by Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, over their involvement in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in June 1996.
Counsel to the state government, Femi Adamson, informed the Court of Appeal presided over by Justice Chuma Nweze, that the application was to enable the state government file its respondent’s brief of argument.
He, however, apologised for the late filing, noting that it was as a result of hitches beyond his control.
Although counsel to Al-Mustapha, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Shofolahan’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, did not object the application, they expressed their displeasure with the development.
Commenting on the application, the court held that the attitude of the Lagos State government in its approach towards hearing of the appeal is not encouraging.
“Gentlemen, as you can see, it is not the fault of the court not to hear the appeal.
“Counsels should desist from the attitude of filing applications late in any case,” Justice Nweze emphasised.
While granting the application, Nweze ordered the state counsel to serve Ojo the respondent’s brief of argument, having served Daudu and adjourned hearing of the appeal till May 30.
