Hamza Al-Mustapha was on Friday
released from the Kirikiri Maximum
Prisons, Lagos, following his
discharge and acquittal of a murder
charge by the Court of Appeal.
The appellate court sitting in Lagos
upturned a death sentence earlier
passed on Mr. Al-Mustapha and Lateef
Sofolahan, an aide to the late Kudirat
Abiola.
Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security
Officer (CSO) to the late Head of
State, Sani Abacha, was sentenced to
death on January 30, over the
alleged murder of Mrs. Kudirat, on
June 4, 1996 in Lagos.
Mrs. Kudirat was the wife of the late
business mogul and politician,
Moshood Abiola.
Al-Mustapha, who waved to well
wishers that besieged the prison,
said: “thank God, thank God,’’ as he
was rushed into a jeep, which drove
him away.
The former CSO was driven off in the
same vehicle with Mr. Sofolahan.
Mr. Sofolahan had emerged five
minutes ahead of Mr. Al-Mustapha,
into the warm embrace of friends,
who were also full of joy.
In a joyful mood, Mr. Sofolahan told
the News Agency of Nigeria that “we
are fine, we feel happy.’’
There was tight security as both men
were released from prison.
Anxious family members and friends
of Messrs Al-Mustapha and
Shofolahan had earlier besieged the
gates of the prisons ahead of their
release.
The duo had been in detention since
1999 when they were charged to
court. Mr. Al-Mustapha’s younger
brother, Hadi, said that he was
overwhelmed by the judgment of
the court.
At the appellate court, Justice Rita
Pemu, who read the lead judgment,
said that the prosecution totally
failed to establish the charge of
conspiracy and murder against
Messrs Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan.

Human judgement, be rest assured dat God's judgement awaits u but b4 then sin no more for am sure that Human is watching you in 1-D but God is watching you in 3-D. God bless Nigeria.