Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has declared that the dismissal of his trial for the murder of Kudirat Abiola by the Supreme Court has proved his innocence in the charge preferred against him.

Al-Mustapha said that he bore no grudge against anyone in his ordeal and trial, which lasted 28 years at the High Court of Lagos, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.

In his first reaction to the Supreme Court judgment of 22 January, which terminated the 28-year-old charge against him, the senior military officer thanked the Federal Government for not interfering with the judicial process during his trial.

In a statement on Friday, Major Al-Mustapha applauded his family, Nigerians, and especially the judiciary for standing by him through 28 years of what he called “a harrowing, unforgettable and traumatic journey that began like a joke and which has finally ended on a very happy note.”

The statement read in part: “My battle with the forces of darkness started in 1998 when I, along with others, was arrested and arraigned on trumped-up charges orchestrated by those who decided not only to blackmail me, but also to get rid of me for reasons best known to them.

“Of course, it would be an understatement to say that the 28 years of trial that followed were enjoyable. But to the glory of Almighty Allah, all ended well at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As a good and patriotic Nigerian, I have to put all that happened behind me, gear up and get ready to move on with my life without grudges against any individual or institution.

“The Supreme Court verdict has vindicated me and proved my innocence; so what more do I ask Almighty Allah for than the heart to forgive all those who masterminded my almost three-decade ordeal. As a Muslim, I have forgiven them all.

“I am ready now to contribute my own quota to the well-being, development and advancement of Nigeria.

“To the eminent and erudite Justices at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, I remain eternally effusive in my gratitude for your painstaking and just judgment. I thank you so much for living up to expectations as the last hope of the common and defenceless man.

“To all Nigerians and everyone who stood by me during these 28 years of ordeal, I salute you all for your courage and love.

“I am grateful to my parents, who suffered from wanton harassment by forces bent on seeing my end. My wife and children, who also suffered deliberate harassment, deserve commendation for standing firm, even in the face of all threats.

“I will forever cherish your love and care. My brothers and sisters too, who suffered from illegal arrests and harassment, I am grateful for your steadfast support throughout.

“To my counsel, who suffered physical attacks, illegal break-ins and burglary of their chambers, and to my other friends who endured illegal searches and abuses, it is heartwarming that your efforts have not gone in vain,” the statement added.

“On a sad note, however, I remember all those who paid the supreme price and other patriots who sustained life-threatening injuries, especially from all the geo-political zones of Nigeria, in the course of covering my court trial.

“I sympathise with their family members and other loved ones. They are heroes, and their labours shall not be in vain,” he said, and enjoined all Nigerians to eschew hatred and bitterness towards one another and to strive to work together, in unity, to ensure that Nigeria becomes the country of our lofty dreams for the sake of posterity.

(Nigerian Tribune)