There is strong indication that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha may be reinstated into the Nigerian Army any moment from now following his recent freedom after being discharged and acquitted by a Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos.
The former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha was detained in Kirikiri maximum prison for 14 years. He was under trial for conspiracy and alleged murder of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
On January 30, he was sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos High. But, last Friday, he was set free by an Appellate Court having been discharged and acquitted. The judgment thus overturned the death sentenced passed by the High Court.
Asked about the fate of Al-Mustapha at a Joint Service Press Briefing in Abuja, the Chief of Staff to the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel John Agim, said as far as the Nigerian army authorities were concerned, Al-Mustapha is still a major in the service.
“With regards to Mustapha’s release, well, I want to confirm that he is still in the army. The case is going to be handled by the army administratively in line with the harmonized terms and conditions of service,” Agim told reporters on Monday.
With this development, speculations about whether Al-Mustapha had since been retired from the Nigerian Army are laid to rest. “Things that we went through are things that I cannot sum up anywhere. But, all I can say is that yesterday is gone.
“We have drawn a line and we have forgiven them we are gorging ahead to set examples”, he had told Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso during a reception for him at Kano Government House.
