Kudirat Abiola: Lagos files appeal against acquittal of Al-Mustapha

Lagos State government on Tuesday, announced that it has filed an appeal to challenge the court’s decision to set free Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, 45, on June 4, 1996 in Lagos.

Al-Mustapha is former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha,

Today’s disclosure was made by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, while briefing journalists at the monthly media chart on Law and Order in the state.

According to him, the government after a one month of thorough evaluation of the judgment, found out that “there are enough and very good grounds for appeal.”

While reacting to the judgement, Lagos had stated that it would study the ruling and make public its decision on whether or not to appeal.

The development means that both men will have to undergo another round of legal tussle after their freedom few weeks ago.

The Court of Appeal in Lagos had discharged and acquitted them on July 12, overturning that of the Lagos High Court which sentenced Al-Mustapha to death by hanging on January 30. The presiding judge accused the lower court of being “stroked to secure a conviction by all means.”

Rita Pemu, who read the lead judgment, had insisted that the Lagos State government, the prosecution, failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

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