-Fasheun Accompanies Al-Mustapha to Hero’s Welcome in Kano
THE Lagos State government reserves the right to seek redress at
Nigeria’s highest court if it was unsatisfied with Friday’s not guilty verdict issued in the case of retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan.
This was according to eminent constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, who spoke news reporters via telephone interview from Abuja on Sunday.
Professor Sagay said that in spite of the fact that the Court of Appeal in Lagos has discharged and acquitted the duo of Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan, only the Supreme Court has the final say. “I have not seen the judgment, but I have seen what the press summarized and basically what I deduce from what was published is that the evidences are contradictory. “I cannot question it because I have not seen the details of what was in favor and what was against.
“I have not read the details of the contradictions, but Lagos State Government can appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. “It does not matter whether they have been discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos,” he said. Sagay expressed fears that the judgment might encourage the culture of impunity in the society. He prayed that nothing in the judgment would be interpreted as an encouragement for people to take lives without being brought to book.
“My fear is that the judgment, no matter how legitimate and justified, does not end up promoting impunity. “There is that tendency to take life without fear of consequences and that is one of the greatest problems we have in this country now. “My hope is that nothing in this judgment will be interpreted to mean an encouragement for people to carry on in that manner,” Sagay said. Friday’s verdict nullified the death penalty passed on the two men in January 2012 by a Lagos High Court over in the murder of late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
They were sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Mrs Abiola on June 4, 1996. Meanwhile, Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has commended the judiciary for the release of Al-Mustapha, after 15-years in detention. Kwankwaso made the commendation when Al-Mustapha and his family paid him a courtesy visit at the Government.
He said the incarceration of Al-Mustapha was a lesson to Nigerians, explaining that it should be used to correct the lapses in Nation’s judicial system. Kwankwaso described Al-Mustapha’s ordeal as an act of Allah, and urged all concerned to take it in good faith as Muslims. Earlier, Al-Mustapha recalled how he was arrested, humiliated and denied access to lawyers before he was eventually remanded.
Al-Mustapha thanked God Almighty for sparing his life and bringing him back home safely. On his part, Dr Fredrick Fasheun, who accompanied Al-Mustapha from Lagos, said he was impressed with the welcome they received from Nigerians at the airport.