Al-Mustapha: A twist of fate

Also published in Daily Trust

Though the aftermath of the sudden death of former Head of state, General Sani Abacha in 1998 was defined by a dramatic twist of fate that affected so many people in various ways and degrees, perhaps the case of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and that of former Chief Security Officer to Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha were particularly interesting in this regard.

For instance, while Obasanjo was released from prison, where he was serving a life sentence, and indeed literally given the presidency on a platter of gold, Al-Mustapha began his journey in detention that lasted for well over a decade, within which he was reportedly subjected to humiliating mental and physical suffering, which culminated in sentencing him to death before his conviction was overturned.

Al-Mustapha’s long incarceration had predictably aroused suspicion among a large segment of the society, who suspected an ethno-political agenda behind it and indeed believed he was unjustly victimized by some powerful individuals who had personal scores to settle with him. By the way, there were allegations of serious human right abuses against Al-Mustapha whose “iron hand” allegedly never spared any real or perceived dissident.

Moreover, his boss, General Abacha was also rightly or wrongly accused of targeting the elite of a particular ethnic group in the county, of course with Al-Mustapha as his alleged hatchet man.

Incidentally, suspicions of such nature are quite common in Nigeria, where ethnic prejudice and/or vested interests unfortunately represent the real motives behind many official policies and decisions. That was the reason why there was such excitement in many parts of northern Nigeria over Al-Mustapha’s release particularly in Kano, where a huge crowd of people converged at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) to welcome him, as he was also accorded an official reception by Kano state governor, Eng. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso at the Government House. While on the other hand, there was widespread condemnation against his release elsewhere, particularly where most of his purported victims come from.

   
Anyway, Al-Mustapha’s release continues to generate very conflicting reactions even among the educated Nigerians, as it appears clearly in various newspaper articles and online comments. For instance, while many commentators particular from where Al-Mustapha’s alleged victims largely come from, condemn his acquittal and depict him as a murderer who should have gone to gallows, most of their counterparts elsewhere sympathise with him and portray him as an innocent and dedicated army officer victimized and witch-hunted in collaboration with some powerful elements in the country.

In any case, notwithstanding the validity or otherwise of the legal grounds on the bases of which Al-Mustapha was acquitted, one can’t deny the fact that, the charge against him wasn’t all about murder in reality. After all, politically motivated assassination isn’t uncommon in Nigeria, where many more influential individuals were mysteriously assassinated, and the suspects managed to go away with it, thanks to the culture of impunity and inefficiency of the country’s judicial system. 

Nevertheless,  I am not denying or confirming whether he was actually guilty of ordering the assassination or Kudirat Abiola or not, after all, the case is not finally  over, for it will certainly be decided one day before Allah the Almighty when and where absolute justice will definitely prevail. Until then however, the actual reasons behind Al-Mustapha’s long ordeal, his previous conviction and subsequent discharge particularly at this juncture would continue to attract different reactions and explanations.

Meanwhile, having spent such a very long period in detention, Al-Mustapha isn’t likely to be retained by the Nigerian Army anymore; he will most likely be retired from service. In the meantime, perhaps, he has presumably begun to come to terms with the current reality in the country, which is significantly different from what was obtained before the start of his ordeal.

For instance he has already presumably begun to realise how the political equations in the country have considerably changed to the advantage of some hitherto largely unknown individuals and the disadvantage of many who had in the past taken political influence for granted. As he must have now started to notice how the country’s intrigue-ridden power play and political struggle play out.

Besides, even though he declared his forgiveness for those he believed to have subjected him to such frustrating ordeal, he may not find it easy to wholeheartedly let go, even though it actually remains to be seen in due course.

In the meantime, having experienced both the sweet and the bitter sides of influence, it’s obvious that Al-Mustapha knows a lot of interesting details about the power struggle and intrigue that defined the era of his late boss General Sani Abacha and indeed some interesting information about former Head of State General Abdusalami Abubakar, who succeeded Abacha.

Hence it’s hoped he would consider writing his memoirs as soon as possible to clear the air over many contentious issues and further clear his name over his alleged involvement in many other cases of human right abuses while serving under late Abacha. Besides, he could also clear the air over many issues linked to his late boss, who ever since his death has been subjected to unprecedented campaign of calumny particularly by the press of a particular part of this country.