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Supreme Court Strikes Out Al-Mustapha Trial Over Kudirat Abiola Murder
The Supreme Court has formally brought to an end the long-running trial of retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, over the murder of pro-democracy activist, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
Al-Mustapha had been prosecuted by the Lagos State Government in connection with the assassination of Mrs Abiola, wife of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Kudirat Abiola was murdered in Lagos amid nationwide protests and political unrest following the annulment of the election, at a time she was actively campaigning for the restoration of her husband’s mandate and the return to democratic governance.
In a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, struck out the case after finding that the Lagos State Government had abandoned its appeal.
At the hearing, Lagos State failed to file any legal process or make a formal appearance, despite being granted leave in 2014 to reopen the case. Counsel to Al-Mustapha, Paul Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the state had taken no steps to prosecute the appeal for over nine years, including failing to file a notice of appeal within the 30-day window ordered by the court.
Daudu argued that the prolonged inaction amounted to a clear abandonment of the case and urged the court to dismiss it in its entirety. The registrar of the court confirmed that Lagos State had been duly served with hearing notices.
In her ruling, Justice Aba-Aji held that the state had shown a complete lack of interest in pursuing the matter, describing the failure to act for nine years as inexcusable. The court also expressed displeasure that no explanation or legal representation was offered by the state.
Consequently, the appeal marked SC/CR/45/2014 was dismissed. A related appeal filed by the Lagos State Government, marked SC/CR/6/2014, was also struck out on the same grounds.
The Supreme Court had, in 2014, granted Lagos State permission to challenge the July 12, 2013 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Al-Mustapha of the murder charge. At the time, the then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, ordered the state to file its notice of appeal within 30 days.
That ruling followed Lagos State’s request to reopen the case out of time, a move that was not opposed by Al-Mustapha’s legal team. The state had argued that it intended to contest the appellate court’s findings on grounds of alleged miscarriage of justice and insufficiency of evidence.
Al-Mustapha, Mohammed Abacha and the late Lateef Shofolahan were originally arraigned before a Lagos High Court on charges of conspiracy and murder in relation to the killing of Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996. In January 2012, Justice Moji Dada of the Lagos High Court convicted the accused and sentenced them to death by hanging.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in July 2013, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, and subsequently discharged and acquitted the defendants.
With Thursday’s ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively closed the case, ending all legal proceedings against Al-Mustapha in connection with the murder of Kudirat Abiola.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a new round of appointments and promotions with immediate effect, as part of efforts to strengthen governance and enhance institutional performance in the state.
The development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle has been appointed as the Acting Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Matawalle, a retired permanent secretary, previously served in a similar role and also held office as the board’s executive secretary. He was described as a seasoned administrator who rose through the civil service ranks from Assistant Secretary to Permanent Secretary before retiring in 2014, after eight years in the position. The statement noted his strong track record in the effective management of Hajj operations.
Governor Yusuf also approved the promotion of Yusuf Mukhtar to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
In another appointment, Barrister Rahama Malam Alhaji was named Provost of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Institute. She was praised as an accomplished legal practitioner with over seven years’ experience spanning litigation, corporate law, electricity law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The statement highlighted her professional background across both public and private sectors, including her time at the Kano Electricity Distribution Company and her role as Head of the School of Law at Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria. She holds a Master of Laws degree in International Law and was credited with pioneering initiatives such as the establishment of a Law Clinic and a Student Bar Association.
The governor further approved the promotion of veteran Kannywood actress Aina’u Ade from Special Assistant to Senior Special Assistant on Kannywood Affairs, citing her impressive performance and dedication in her previous assignment.
The statement said the latest appointments and promotions reflect the administration’s resolve to reinforce governance structures and ensure the efficient management of public institutions. Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to justify the confidence reposed in them through diligence, transparency and unwavering commitment to the Kano First Agenda.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has issued a public alert over a fraudulent LinkedIn account impersonating its Director-General, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, urging Nigerians to disregard and report any communication linked to the fake profile.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Institute’s Media Consultant, Mr Sam Eferaro, NIMR disclosed that the impostor account has been sending misleading messages to unsuspecting individuals, falsely offering procurement opportunities, contracts and other business-related engagements.
According to the statement, the attention of the Institute was drawn to the existence of the fake LinkedIn profile posing as the Director-General, adding that all messages emanating from the account are entirely fraudulent.
NIMR cautioned members of the public against engaging with any messages purportedly sent by Professor Obafunwa through LinkedIn or other unofficial platforms, particularly those soliciting business dealings or financial commitments.
The Institute further emphasised that all legitimate interactions with vendors, contractors, partners and the public are conducted strictly through recognised and official institutional channels, in line with established public service procedures.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made concerning genocide.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN described the demand as unfounded and unjustifiable, stressing that Prof. Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to express opinions on matters of national interest, regardless of his public office.
The Fellowship maintained that the remarks attributed to the INEC chairman had no link to his official duties, noting that they were unrelated to elections or electoral processes, which fall within the scope of his professional responsibilities.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a citizen of Nigeria, has the right to speak on issues he perceives as affecting the nation, irrespective of his appointment or position,” the statement said.
PFN further condemned suggestions that the INEC chairman should be removed on the basis of personal views expressed outside his official mandate, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent where public officials are penalised for holding or expressing independent opinions.
The organisation also cautioned against interpreting national discourse through religious perspectives, arguing that such an approach risks deepening societal divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“We must guard against profiling individuals or judging them based on religious considerations. Prof. Amupitan has the right to express his views, and this should not come at the expense of his office,” the statement added.
The Fellowship urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and mutual respect in addressing sensitive national issues, emphasising that unity, fairness, and peaceful engagement must remain central to public discourse.
PFN reaffirmed its commitment to justice and national cohesion, calling on Nigerians to uphold democratic values in responding to differing opinions on matters affecting the country.