Tens of thousands people on Sunday gathered at Malam Aminu International Airport in Kano to welcome Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late military despot, General Sani Abacha.
Three days ago, a panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Justice Amina Augie controversially acquitted Mr. Al-Mustapha of a murder conviction in the 1995 assassination of Kudirat Abiola, a wife of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida regime.www.mannastores.com
Several judicial sources accused the appellate justices of releasing Mr. Mustapha after accepting a significant bribe from the convict and his associates. Numerous civil rights groups as well as family members of the late Kudirat Abiola have condemned the verdict, contending that it sent a signal that those who committed heinous crimes can buy their way out of the consequences of their acts.
Receiving the freed detainee at Government House, Kano, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso urged the thousands of people who besieged the venue to join the government in welcoming back Mr. Mustapha to Kano. The governor added that the crowd should also give thanks to Allah for making the former CSO’s release possible after more than twelve years in detention and jail.
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