Expresses deep pain over more than two decades of trial, thanks apex court judges, FG, family, Nigerians
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to late head of state, General Sani Abacha says he has forgiven all those behind his 28 years ordeal and trial in courts following the murder of Mrs Kudirat Abiola, wife of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
Recall that on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the trial of Al-Mustapha over the June 4,1997 murder of Mrs Abiola in Lagos, 28 years after the court case began.
A five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court led by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji brought to an end Al-Mustapha’s trial for the murder charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government by dismissing the suit over the state’s failure to re-open the former CSO’s trial since 2014.
In its brief ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, said that the Lagos State Government had lost interest in the matter and consequently abandoned it. The panel then dismissed the suit in its entirety, bringing a final closure to the case.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of his trial and closure of the case, Al-Mustapha in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, said since his innocence in the murder of Kudirat Abiola had been established by Nigeria’s apex court, he had decided to forgive the masterminds of his ordeal and rather move on with his life as a patriotic and peace-loving Nigerian citizen.
He stressed that having been vindicated by the apex court, he had put behind him his 28 years ordeal over a matter he knew nothing about but had to suffer for for almost three decades.
Having been exonerated by Thursday’s judgement of the Supreme Court, Al-Mustapha expressed his readiness “to contribute my own quota to the well-being, development and advancement of Nigeria.”
He then thanked the eminent and erudite Justices at the Supreme Court for their “painstaking and just judgment.”
Al-Mustapha also praised the Federal Government for its non-interference while his court trial ordeal lasted.
He further thanked all Nigerians, especially those who stood by him during his 28 years of ordeal.
The former CSO also sympathised with the families of all his supporters who lost their lives or suffered injuries in the course of his trial in court.
He further thanked his parents, his immediate family members and other relations for their support, love and steadfastness during his long years of trial and incarceration, despite the threats and harassment from forces opposed to him.
Below is the full text of Al-Mustapha’s e-signed statement:
STATEMENT
Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah,
All praises be unto ALLAH SWT, the Creator of Heavens and Earth.
I am most grateful to the Almighty Allah, Creator and cherisher of the heavens and earth, to my family, to all Nigerians and especially to the Judicial Justice system for standing by me through 28 years of a harrowing, unforgettable and traumatic journey that began like a joke; which has finally ended today on a very happy note.
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 to also get rid of me for reasons best known to them.
Of course, it will be an understatement to say that the 28 years of trial that followed was enjoyable. But to the glory of Almighty Allah, all ended well today 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.
Today’s Supreme Court verdict has vindicated me, proved my innocence; so what more do I ask Almighty Allah for than the heart to forgive all those who masterminded my almost three decades ordeal. As a Muslim, I’ve forgiven them all.
I’m ready to now 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, hapless and defenceless man.
I also thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for not interfering with the judicial processes while my trial in court lasted. I remain eternally grateful for this.
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’m grateful to my
parents, who suffered from wanton harassment from forces bent on seeing my end. My wife and children who also suffered from deliberate harassments deserve all the commendations 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’m grateful for standing by me all through.
To my counsel who suffered physical attacks on their persons, illegal break-ins and burglary of their chambers, and to
my other friends who suffered from illegal searches and abuses, it’s heartwarming that your efforts have not gone in vain. Today’s Supreme Court verdict has crowned it all. Alhamdullilah!
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 over 14-year court trial. I sympathise with their family members and other loved ones. They’re heroes and their labours shall not be in vain.
At this juncture, I want to enjoin all Nigerians to eschew hatred and bitterness towards one another. We should all strive to work together, in unity, to ensure that Nigeria becomes the country of our lofty dreams for the sake of posterity.
Once again, I thank the Nigerian Judiciary, the Supreme Court, the Federal Government and all Nigerians. Together, we shall all continue to lift Nigeria higher and higher. God bless you all.
E-signed;
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha
