*Relieves prison experience
*Abachas, grandmother set to receive him in Kano today…
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of
State, General Sani Abacha, says he has forgiven those behind his 14 years
sojourn in prison.
*Abachas, grandmother set to receive him in Kano today…
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of
State, General Sani Abacha, says he has forgiven those behind his 14 years
sojourn in prison.
In an interview aired on BBC Hausa
Service, yesterday, the former Abacha security goon said “there was
conscious effort by those behind my travail to paint me black before the whole
world, but my gratitude goes to God for allowing truth to triumph over
falsehood”. He spoke about 24 hours after the Court of Appeal set him free.
Service, yesterday, the former Abacha security goon said “there was
conscious effort by those behind my travail to paint me black before the whole
world, but my gratitude goes to God for allowing truth to triumph over
falsehood”. He spoke about 24 hours after the Court of Appeal set him free.
Al-Mustapha stated: “The last 14
years of my life was spent between solitary confinement that lasted five years
and three months and detention in about 32 facilities located within the
northern and southern parts of the country.”
years of my life was spent between solitary confinement that lasted five years
and three months and detention in about 32 facilities located within the
northern and southern parts of the country.”
Recounting his experience in prison,
the former CSO declared: “I was toughened by my professional calling and my
belief as a Muslim to persevere in whatever condition one finds himself”,
stressing that 14 years from home had been tough and laden with lesson of life
the former CSO declared: “I was toughened by my professional calling and my
belief as a Muslim to persevere in whatever condition one finds himself”,
stressing that 14 years from home had been tough and laden with lesson of life
The one-time feared Major, in the
emotional interview, said, “I am fully convinced that my travail was ordained
by God to test my will and trust in Him and those laying claim to have played a
role must have done that out of ignorance, and I bear no grudge against them.
emotional interview, said, “I am fully convinced that my travail was ordained
by God to test my will and trust in Him and those laying claim to have played a
role must have done that out of ignorance, and I bear no grudge against them.
“I have learnt a lot lessons from my
incarceration and, from what I have seen at the maximum prison, there is a
number of people who are being detained illegally across the prisons and
those in position of authority must do something to address the issue”.
incarceration and, from what I have seen at the maximum prison, there is a
number of people who are being detained illegally across the prisons and
those in position of authority must do something to address the issue”.
He added: “I am still a major in the
Nigerian Army, and cannot be dragged into politics especially since I
have been out for so long. I don’t think of politics, my major preoccupation
now is how to reunite with my profession.”
Nigerian Army, and cannot be dragged into politics especially since I
have been out for so long. I don’t think of politics, my major preoccupation
now is how to reunite with my profession.”
Rally
Meanwhile, barring any last-minute change in plan, Maryam Sani Abacha, wife of
the late Head of state, Abacha, is set to lead the entire Abacha family to
receive him at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport as he returns home
today. Al-Mustapha’s grandmother was also said to be anxious to see him.
Meanwhile, barring any last-minute change in plan, Maryam Sani Abacha, wife of
the late Head of state, Abacha, is set to lead the entire Abacha family to
receive him at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport as he returns home
today. Al-Mustapha’s grandmother was also said to be anxious to see him.
Supporters and well-wishers of the
freed former CSO were, yesterday, said to be planning to hold a rally for
honour their hero.
freed former CSO were, yesterday, said to be planning to hold a rally for
honour their hero.
A jingle by Muhammad Abacha, eldest
son of the late Head of State, ran on virtually all radio stations in
Kano, calling on Kano people to come out en masse to welcome Al
Mustapha back home.
son of the late Head of State, ran on virtually all radio stations in
Kano, calling on Kano people to come out en masse to welcome Al
Mustapha back home.
Palpable festivities enveloped the
city of nine million people as many were seen discussing today’s event that
promised to attract hundreds of thousands of people.
city of nine million people as many were seen discussing today’s event that
promised to attract hundreds of thousands of people.
Al-Mustapha’s private residence,
located at Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa GRA, wore a new look with increased
activities as hordes of people were seen trooping in and out of the house.
located at Lamido Crescent, Nassarawa GRA, wore a new look with increased
activities as hordes of people were seen trooping in and out of the house.
Sunday Vanguard checks round the
city showed posters of the late Abacha dotted strategic streets with
those of Al-Mustapha.
city showed posters of the late Abacha dotted strategic streets with
those of Al-Mustapha.
Source: Vanguard
