Politics
Still On Al-Mustapha’s Death Sentence
Last Monday, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court sentenced Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to death by hanging for the 1996 murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola. Sentenced alongside Al-Mustapha was Alhaji Lateef Sofolahan, an aide of Kudirat.
The case had lasted for about twelve years. Years filled with legal, judicial and political rigmarole, which has widely been viewed to have been made possible by Nigeria’s judicial system.
No doubt, the fact that the judiciary, as represented by Justice Dada, finally proclaimed a sentence, proves the saying that “justice delayed is not justice denied”, but it did not forclose the tragedy that the case lasted for such a long period.
The mere fact that others like Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.) and CSP Rabo Lawal, who were detained alongside Al-Mustapha, could opt for a speedy trial only gives credence to what has become apparent that the entire trial looked more like a clever ploy by the accused to delay, or even subvert justice.
On the face of it, the judiciary has not only exonerated itself from the common man’s belief that it is incapable of calling the mighty (or once mighty) in our society to order, but has also stated in no mean terms that anyone who commits heinous crime (including those done in the guise of serving the state) will eventually pay for it. It is also indicative that it will amount to arrant foolishness on the part of a criminal to imagine that he could wear out that court with the hope of escaping justice.
For these reasons, and more specifically, the judiciary’s patience, focus and candour in what could unarguably be christened a merry-go-round trial obviously created by the defence, the judiciary, particularly in Lagos, deserves some level of accolade.
However, in better organised societies, such case as the assassination of Kudirat Abiola would have been an open and shut one in which the accused would be given ample opportunity to prove their innocence, and justice would be metted out without undue delay.
The implication is that it is now time for the Nigerian judiciary to sit back and examine how justice could be dispensed much more speedily in the face of apparent but conscious obstacles likely to be put up by the defence.
Without prejudice to the final outcome of the case, following Al-Mustapha’s appeal last Tuesday, another journey in to desert island may not do well to the image of the judiciary, moreso, as it will be coming on the heels of a twelve month journey through similar route.
As indicated earlier, this case is not just for Al-Mustapha, who, backed by a dictatorial military government, took impunity to the level that made everything else, including human lives, nonsense. It is a message to some of our current politicians, who are wont to toe the same line of impunity; who feel more comfortable when their word becomes law, even in a democratic dispensation.
It may, therefore, be pertinent to remind our politicians, perhaps for the umpteenth time, that democracy is all about majority, and that no one can be so powerful that he becomes untouchable.
Like some public office holders today, Al-Mustapha, in his rampage on inhuman toga, must have thought he was too powerful to be touched, and his office too important to be probed on the grounds of national security.
As a democratic state, Nigeria has signed, sealed and delivered its determination to uphold the rule of law in its entirety. This is why it is most pertinent for every body, particularly those in authority, to note that the Judiciary should be sacrosanct; that for Nigeria to be regarded as a civilised country in the commity of nations, its inhabitants must get the message that no matter how long justice is delayed, they will one day be called to account for their actions.
Perhaps if Al-Mustapha had known when he was rolling in the hay as a supremo that what has befallen him today was waiting far him, he would have had a rethink on some of his actions.
Unfortunately, (or fortunately) for Al-Mustapha, the history of Nigeria’s quest for democracy will not be complete without mention made of him, though his was a military regime. This is why the Nigerian State, as portrayed by its leadership, cannot be so reckless in leadership as to warrant the military to consider a cameback to governance.
Let us, as Nigerians, not forget that the Al-Mustapha scenario was made possible by the impunity of Military rule, which cancelled the first most valid election in the country, and gave birth to the illegality that led to the despotic Abacha junta that produced Al-Mustapha’s “strike Force”, which terrorized Nigerians and took Nigeria to its lowest ebb, using Abacha’s shield.
The key question for current Nigerian leaders is how they want their names written in the big book of Nigeria’s turbulent journey from creation, knowing that if their names are not written in the good part of the book, some day nemesis can catch up with them.
Islamic leaders in Rivers State have blamed the underdevelopment and high level of poverty in Nigeria on greed and bad leadership.
They also called for an end to the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
The Islamic clerics who spoke to newsmen at the just concluded Eidel Fitri prayers at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, regretted the high level of poverty in the country inspite of the country’s enormous resources.
The Vice President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Awelegbe Uhor, condemned the lingering political crisis in the state, adding that, if not checked, the situation could derail development efforts.
Alhaji Uhor also stressed the need for the various political parties in the state to work with Governor Siminalaye Fubara to move the state foreward.
He said Governor Fubara meant well for the state, adding that Rivers Moslems were beneficiaries of the policies and programmes of the current administration in the state.
Alhaji Uhor, who blamed the ravaging poverty in the country on greed, noted Nigeria has enough resources to make every body rich in the country.
He also said that Nigeria did not need to vote for any president based on religion, adding that moslems and Christians had been ruling the country since independence and the situation had not changed.
Also speaking the leader of Rivers state Moslems, Alhaji Suleiman Akani, warned that Rivers Moslems would not tolerate any impeachment against Governor Fubara.
Alhaji Akani described Governor Fubara as one of the most Moslems friendly governor since the inception of the state.
He said the governor had not neglected the moslems community since the inception of his administration, stressing that some Moslem umars have been sponsored for pilgrimage by the administration.
According to him, “Apart from Odili, this is the most Moslems friendly governor.
We moslems have benefitted so much from the present administration in the state.”
On his part, the Chief Imam of the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul Malik Yahaya, called on Nigerians to cultivate the virtue of love for one another, stressing that the message of Salah was about love for one another.
He also called on Moslems to show love, not only to fellow Moslems alone, but to people of other faith as well.
Meanwhile the sole Administrator of the Rivers State Moslem Pilgrims welfare Board, Alhaji Abdul Rasaq Diepriye, has commended Governor Fubara for being the first governor in the country to sponsor Moslems to the Haj.
He said that it was the first time in several years that Rivers Moslems had felt a sense of belonging.
Alhaji Diepriye assured of the continuous support of the Moslem community to the administration.
By: John Bibor
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area, Warisenibo Tonye Fubara, has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon Edison Ehie, as leaders with unbeatable transformational agenda.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port Harcourt, Warisenibo Fubara said that they are astute, patriotic and typify leaders with quality mindset Nigerians, especially Rivers people yearn for, as far as purposeful, profit oriented and development -innovative governance is concerned.
He said: “Insecurity, political crisis, hunger and marginalization have become a cankerworms that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the oil and gas -rich state, in particular and the country in general.
He maintained that since Governor Siminalayi Fubara took over the mantle of leadership of the state in May, last year, till now, there has been relative peace across the state, noting that the political crisis in the state orchestrated by some mischief makers and greedy politicians was regrettable.
Warisenibo Fubara, a grassroot mobiliser in Opobo/Nkoro Ward 5, further hailed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie for successfully triumphing over dictatorial leadership, describing them as “development pathfinders of our generation.”
He pointed out that Governor Fubara and his team were committed in the task of governing the state in the best interest of the state and its people, not minding the negative and unproductive distractions of those who do not wish the state and its people well.
Meanwhile, Warisenibo Tonye Fubara has enjoined Rivers people to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara to provide the needed democratic dividends for all and sundry, adding that they should stand their ground to resist any attempt by the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule -led Rivers State House of Assembly who threatened to impeach the Governor for vain glory and selfish ambition, without following the rule of law, as to please their pay masters.
By: Bethel Toby
Former Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has challenged the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, to show proof that Governor Siminalaye Fubara is funding the thanksgiving services being held across the 23 local government areas in the state by the Simplified Movement.
Mrs Semenitari who said this during the thanksgiving service organized by the Okrika Local Government Area chapter of the Simplified Movement explained that the event was sponsored by simple people from the local government areas who are happy with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the election victory of the governor.
She said what Rivers people should focus on his good governance, adding that Governor Fubara had shown commitment to keeping to his promises to Rivers people.
“The Rivers State Government is not spending a dime. I challenge him (Okocha) to bring out proof of Rivers State Government funding the thanksgiving service. It is a simple event funded by simple people”, she said.
Mrs Semenitari, who was also a one time Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the occasion was an opportunity for Rivers people to show appreciation to God for what He had done in Rivers State.
‘It is an opportunity to say to God, we are grateful; that we are grateful to God for the victory without rancour; we are grateful that we have the opportunity to celebrate a Governor who had a peaceful disposition. But beyond that, also a prayer by Rivers people that we are tired, we don’t want any more crisis.
“We want our state to progress. We have a Governor who is committed to driving development across every local government area. For us, that is what matters” she said.
By: John Bibor
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