Supreme Court okays appeal against Al-Mustapha’s release

The Supreme Court has granted request by the Lagos State government to appeal the release of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former CSO to late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former dictator.

Justice Walter Onoghene, Acting Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, gave the ruling following a motion by Oluwayemisi Osusanya, a Senior State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

Justice Onoghene said the Lagos State government has till Thursday to appeal against the July 12, 2015 verdict.

In conceding to the motion, Justice Onoghen asked the Lagos State government to file a notice of appeal within the next 30 days.

Joseph Daudu, counsel to Al-Mustapha had earlier withdrawn his counter affidavit, objecting to the request by the Lagos State government to appeal the matter.

Al-Mustapha, former CSO to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha was released by the court on July 12, 2013, after many years of standing trial for the alleged murder of Kudirat Abiola in 1996.