MKO Abiola’s Murder: Court To Play Video Evidence As Al-Mustapha Says “Bola Ige Was Unconsciously Complicit”

Another controversy has been stirred up in the on-going trial of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former Head of State. Just a few days ago, while being led in evidence at the High Court, Ikeja, Al-Mustapha had alleged that he was being persecuted to prevent him from revealing all he knows about the “murder” of his late boss, Sani Abacha and Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He particularly named former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar as being behind his woes.
While being led in evidence on Wednesday, Al-Mustapha told the court that the late Chief Bola Ige was “unconsciously complicit” in the death of late Chief Abiola. The CSO who is standing trial for the murder of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola told the court that Chief Ige was appointed as the liaison officer to Abiola while he was in detention. “The appointment was made after the Federal Government phased me out of the role,” he said.
Al-Mustapha also asserted that he reached an agreement with the Federal Government to release Chief Abiola and have his mandate restored to him at a later date. He said the agreement was reached after the demise of General Sani Abacha. According to the former CSO, Ige’s appointment came after the agreement.
Al-Mustapha also tendered a photocopied document signed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar and his Security Adviser, Abdullahi Mohammed to support his allegation that the Federal Government released millions of dollars and pounds to some Yoruba leaders after Abiola’s death. Mustapha also alleged that though the Federal Government made claims that the funds were to be used for national security and for the payment of Nigerian troops on peace keeping mission, the released funds were actually used to pacify Yoruba elders who visited the villa.
The document was subsequently admitted by Justice Mojisola Dada who adjourned the case till Thursday. A video evidence of Yoruba leaders who visited Abiola in detention is also scheduled to be played in the court on Thursday.