Court dismisses murder charges against Al-Mustapha

The Appeal Court in Lagos has dismissed charges of conspiracy to murder Alhaja Kudirat Abiola levelled against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (RTD).

The Court in a unanimous decision ruled that there was no direct circumstantial evidence that he conspired with anyone as evidence of prosecution witnesses in that regard were contradictory.

Justice Rita Pemu who read the lead judgment held that there was no direct circumstantial evidence that he conspired with anyone as evidence of prosecution witnesses in that regard were contradictory.

She further held that based on facts and evidence before the court, it is certainly not Al-Mustapha who pulled the trigger and murdered Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

The Court holds that he is liable to be discharged and acquitted.

Chief  MKO Abiola's wife was shot dead on June 4, 1996, on what was alleged to be the orders of Al-Mustapha.