The Supreme Court has dismissed the long-running murder case against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), former Chief Security Officer to late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over the killing of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola.
Kudirat Abiola was the wife of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election conducted under the regime of former President Ibrahim Babangida.
She was assassinated in Lagos during the nationwide unrest that followed the annulment of the election, at a time when she was actively involved in the struggle to have the mandate of her husband restored.
The murder charge against Al-Mustapha, instituted by the Lagos State Government, was brought to an end following a unanimous decision of a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji.
In its ruling, the apex court held that the Lagos State Government had lost interest in prosecuting the appeal and had effectively abandoned the case. Justice Aba-Aji noted that a period of nine years was more than sufficient for the appellant to file a notice of appeal and submit its brief of argument.
The court further expressed displeasure at the absence of legal representation for the Lagos State Government and the failure to provide any explanation to the court or the respondent, despite having been served hearing notices since 2020.
Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and brought the matter to a close
