Col. Hamid Ali (rtd), a member of the Abacha Kangaroo tribunal that sentenced the “Ogoni 9″ which included minority rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa to death by hanging, was on Thursday named by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina confirmed the appointment alongside the following:

Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President

Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)

Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali was Kaduna’s military governor from 1996 to 1998 under the dictatorial regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

When asked if he had any regret in the role he played in the heartless murder of Ken-Saro Wiwa and the “Ogoni 9″, Col Hamid Ali, who was the Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said he had no regrets over his role in the process that led to Saro Wiwa’s execution.

Col. Ali is a die-hard IBB boy who famously declared he would follow General Ibrahim Babangida to war blindfolded but they then fell out after Babangida annulled the June 12 1993 elections, with him telling his principal that he was wrong, pointing out that Abiola should be sworn-in as president even if he was the devil

Ali was touted to be appointed as the next chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Abacha regime set up the Tribunal after falsely accusing Saro-Wiwa and the “Ogoni 8″ of being responsible for the death of four Ogoni elders.

After prolonged human rights abuse, torture and intimidation of Mr. Wiwa’s counsel by the Abacha regime, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists were sentenced to death by hanging.

The Abacha regime swiftly ratified the Tribunal’s verdict and thereafter murdered Saro-Wiwa and the eight activists before the period allowed for an appeal had elapsed. This happened in defiance of calls by the international community, particularly groups like Amnesty International for their lives to be spared.
http://www.opinionriver.com/member-of-ken-saro-wiwa-killer-tribunal-col-hamid-ali-appointed-as-nigerias-customs-boss/
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