There are strong indications that the Nigeria Army headquarters is considering retiring Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Following a death sentence by a High Court after 14 years in detention, a court of Appeal, last week, set free the Yobe-born Major.

The judgement of the appeal court sparked a fresh controversy over what should be Al-Mustapha’s new rank, considering that most of his Regular 28 coursemates are now Major-Generals.

Military sources told Pointblanknews.com that the Army Secretary would “in the next few days” advise Al-Mustapha in writing to voluntarily retire.

Should the Major fail to comply, added the sources, “we will retire him.”

Pointblanknews.com gathered that several issues, including “age on rank”, and the fact that the Major has not undegone the requisite training for promotion, stand against Al-Mustapha.

“Recall that whilst serving as Abacha’s CSO, Al-Mustapha couldn’t be promoted Lieutenant Colonel because he didn’t attend Staff College. There is no way a Major who didn’t pass (Command and) Staff College would be promoted,” he explained.

“Again, there is the issue of age on rank, that is, your age at a particular rank. There is no way Al-Mustapha would be a Major at this age.

Any officer who doesn’t attain a particular rank after a certain age is retired. This is pure military tradition,” added the source.

“It is like awarding a doctorate degree to an undergraduate who was imprisoned 14 years ago for the simply reason that all his classmates at the time now have doctorates,” he stressed.

On Wednesday, the Army refuted reports that Al-Mustapha had been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.

In the history of the Nigerian Armed Forces, no serving personnel has been away for 14 years. Al-Mustapha’s release therefore set a precedence on what to do with officers who, for reasons clearly beyond their control, embark on AWOL (absence without leave) for this long.

Contacted, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Attahiru Ibrahim told Pointblanknews.com that the matter was being handled “administratively.”

He said, “It is purely an administrative matter. The army as an institution has extant rules on its operations, so there is no need for anxiety over the matter.

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/army-moves-to-retire-all-mustapha/

I can see some people scared. Though it would be a nice move to retire him, he should count himself lucky he wasn't dismissed or executed.

that's Just simple logic and I wonder why some brainless people will bring politics to this

It would have been an unprofessional move to just promote Al-Mustapha to Brig-Gen. Sanity must prevail. It would have been more honourable to retire him with full benefits, compo for his ordeal instead of unmerited promotion. Report here says its under consideration though. Hope they do what is right sha

princesammmy: that's Just simple logic and I wonder why some brainless people will bring politics to this

But bros, u know in Nigeria, nothing like Logic. Example is a whole illiterate First Lady insulting a whole world class, world renown professor.

Another example is when the daughter of a pure father anti rule of law speaks against a whole Wole Soyinka.
However, in Nigeria, anything can happen. I won't be surprised if the Guy (mustapha) is promoted to the Chief General of the Military. This is Nigeria bros.

He should be retired ASAP.

hahahaha! So much for army cheif. lmao!

Correction please:-
why will you want to bring back this issue i guess you want to take wole to the cleaner.
1 uncle WS went to play with them in the mud and he got himself soiled.
2 respet is reciprocal. WS is above her accademically does not make him above her morrally.
3 always try as much as you can to tell WS to respect himself and stop playing in the mud.

solidbroda:

But bros, u know in Nigeria, nothing like Logic. Example is a whole illiterate First Lady insulting a whole world class, world renown professor.

Another example is when the daughter of a pure father anti rule of law speaks against a whole Wole Soyinka.
However, in Nigeria, anything can happen. I won't be surprised if the Guy (mustapha) is promoted to the Chief General of the Military. This is Nigeria bros.

.

Ok.We are waiting.

Well, at least he will retire as a major and get pension for life.

Simple Logic should be applied!!!
#Datzoll

He should proceed to Jaji and retire as Lt.Col

Smart move!

They are indirectly telling this man to join PDP politics. From prison to retirement. How is he going to survive? Abi, we all know PDP is the only institution without retirement in its constitution.

Any how shaaa

Just do wat is right......shikena

Any igbo man living in the north should be considered as "living inside the Enemies camp"quote me any day.when you come here and see how this dudes are equiping themselves for war you will understand that things have gone out of hand.so therefore,I urgue my Igbo brothers to get equiped because anything can happen at any time.this is not the topic at hand but I have to voice it out.Ngwucha abughi ujo!

At last, some sane people still abound and they want to do the right thing. Well, God help them.

This is exactly what it should be!

we dt trust him lets retire him

solidbroda:

But bros, u know in Nigeria, nothing like Logic. Example is a whole illiterate First Lady insulting a whole world class, world renown professor.

Another example is when the daughter of a pure father anti rule of law speaks against a whole Wole Soyinka.
However, in Nigeria, anything can happen. I won't be surprised if the Guy (mustapha) is promoted to the Chief General of the Military. This is Nigeria bros.

SHARRRAP!!!

Pls people Comport yourself properly. This thread is not about Wole Soyinka and Patience Jonathan. Just share your view and move on! Almustapha Hamza would choose the former: Voluntarily retire!

Nairalandi: Any igbo man living in the north should be considered as "living inside the Enemies camp"quote me any day.when you come here and see how this dudes are equiping themselves for war you will understand that things have gone out of hand.so therefore,I urgue my Igbo brothers to get equiped because anything can happen at any time.this is not the topic at hand but I have to voice it out.Ngwucha abughi ujo!

In other words u are telling us u are fully equipped if not I wonder what u are still doing there.

The Army and Discipline!! . . . The only sign of hope in this corrupt Government!

Gbam!! Na so life suppose be.

It's okay!

Abu Mikey: Simple Logic should be applied!!!
#Datzoll

....
Huhh..diz sign of relief atlist d army hu pipo say ar nt wel educated sti get senz pas d senates in decision makin...9ce 1

nigerians are good at making bias comment on politics.