Nigeria: Funny Theories About Al-Mustapha’s Freedom

[Olu Abejide]

By: ABUBAKAR SA’AD BAKORI
Nigerians have a propensity for attributing motives to every action and it is not, therefore, surprising why some people are linking the freedom of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha to the 2015 ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

These theories are rather too far- fetched considering the fact that, despite repeated past appeals for state pardon, neither the Federal Government nor the Lagos State Government had responded to those appeals for clemency. In fa ct, there is no way the Lagos State Government would have accepted any political deal to release Major Al-Mustapha. The South-west is a hostile political environment to General Abacha’s former Chief Security Officer. And the Federal Government alone could not have granted amnesty to Al-Mustapha without the involvement of the Lagos State Government.

The involvement of some northern leaders in frustrating Mustapha’s freedom in the past also discredits the theory that his release is political. The deposed Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Haruna Jokolo, had once told the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) that some powerful northern leaders were opposed to Al-Mustapha’s freedom. According to him, former President Obasanjo was amenable to the idea of seeking the cooperation of Lagos State to grant him amnesty, but the effort was frustrated by these northern leaders. Read More

[Anunoby, Ogugua]

Major Mustafa may have been an accessory to and accomplice in Sani Abacha's misrule. His treatment by the Lagos State criminal justice system (lscjs) was embarrassing, then disgraceful,  and finally a perversion of justice. That system seemed to be searching for questions for an answer rather than an answer to questions. The evidence against him was mostly spurious and therefore doubtful. It was not truly evident to the unjaundiced observer that the witnesses against him were credible. 

My personal impression was that the major was condemned even before his trial began. Someone had to be severely punished for Abacha's wrongs. The major seemed to be a conveniently available and hapless fall guy. Was Mustafa guilty of some wrong doing given that he was very close, real close, to near absolute power? Most possibly yes. Is that justification for the gross perversion of justice that he suffered for over a decade? I do not think so. His burden was always a heavy one. He had to prove beyond every and all doubt and suspicion, that he was not guilty as charged. It was not surprising to many critical observers therefore, that his appeal of his conviction and severe sentence by a Lagos High Court was successful. His prosecution seemed to be worse than political. It was unconscionable and ran against the grain of proprietary justice in my opinion. Justice did not seem to have been done in his case. 

Mustafa's case is nevertheless instructive. Political enforcers and other subordinates now know to not take themselves, their orders, and their powers too seriously. There just might be responsibility and accountability at the end of the day. They are reminded that revenge is in the d.n.a. of many political combatants and conflicts. Real or imagined victims tend to believe that they have the right to v.engeance. There is no statute of limitation on real or perceived political injustices and oppression.

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oa  

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From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [usaafric...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Olu Abejide [mys...@ymail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:33 AM
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Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Nigeria: Funny Theories About Al-Mustapha’s Freedom

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