Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former
Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who regained
his freedom last Friday, after 14 years in incarceration, broke down in tears,
Sunday, in Kano while recounting his experience, saying his freedom was still a
dream to him.
Moments after arriving the ancient
city of Kano, Mustapha paid courtesy visits to the palace of the Emir of Kano
and Governor Musa Kwankwaso at Kano Government House, where he said: “I have an
empty house to go to.”
At Kano Government House, Mustapha
said: “I was opportuned to meet my beloved late father and mother twice during
the last 15 years and now I have an empty house to go to.”
The former CSO told his host that
his entry into the Government House was a clear reminder of an event on October
24, 1998, when he was brought into the Government House in tattered cloth and
in chains by his captors in an attempt to rope him in for alleged attempt to
topple a constituted authority.
He said: “I am yet to reconcile with
my freedom because I am yet to believe that this was the same Al-Mustapha that
was brought into this House in tattered shirt, and in chains October 24, 1998.
“I was moved between Kano and Yobe
from October 24 and 26 all in an attempt to implicate me over an alleged coup
to overthrow the civilian government.”
Al-Mustapha, who was accompanied by
Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, National Leader, Mr. Frederick Fasehun, Muhammad
Abacha and several other chieftains of OPC, said: “I am yet to understand what
is happening to me. It is still a dream and I am finding it difficult to adjust
to the reality.”
He also said there was a wicked
attempt to kidnap his two siblings while in custody.
He said: “I suffered serious
witch-hunt and persecution all in an attempt to paint me black before the whole
world.
“Yesterday is gone. I have forgiven
all those who perpetrated the evil against me. I am back home and we are
drawing a new line for a better Nigeria.
“In all I have got justice at last
and we remain grateful to God, who has made it possible for us to enjoy our
liberty once more.
‘A father in Fasehun’
“I found a father in Otunba
Frederick Fasehun, who had been very supportive. A detribalised Nigerian, he
stood by me during my travail and he is with me now that I have regained my
honour and liberty.”
In his speech, Governor Kwankwaso
commended the judiciary for standing by the truth, adding that Al-Mustapha’s
ordeal was a lesson to everyone
According to Governor Kwankwaso,
“Al-Mustapha’s freedom gives me joy, and his freedom is a big lesson to all of
us. I wish to seize this opportunity to commend the judiciary for siding with
the truth.”
Al Mustapha had earlier in the day
arrived Kano to a rousing welcome as scores of residents lined Kano streets to
catch a glimpse of him.
Commercial activities were brought
to a stand-still till late evening as people defied Ramadan to join
others on the street.
Armed soldiers took over his
personal security on arrival, while a combined team of police, OPC and local
militias controlled the huge but orderly crowd of supporters and well-wishers.
Al-Mustapha was forced by the huge
crowd to postpone the proposed visit to the grave of his late parents, where he
was billed to offer special prayers.
In an interview with reporters at
Government House, Al-Mustapha defended his visit to cleric, T. B. Joshua,
describing him as “an old friend who cannot be forgotten so easily.”
On his military career
According to Al Mustapha,
“immediately I regained my freedom, I headed straight to the palace of Oba of
Lagos. Then I visited T. B. Joshua and other important dignitaries that
identified with us during our travails.”
Asked to confirm when he would
resume work against the backdrop that he is still a Major in the Nigerian Army,
He said: “The decree that set up the military is very explicit on the issue,
and the court verdict left no vacuum on same.”
While in the city, Al-Mustapha
visited the emir’s palace, government House and General Sani Abacha’s residence
located at Gidado Road, Nasarawa, GRA Kano.
-vanguard
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