On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Lagos State Government in the murder case of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and upheld the discharge of a former aide-de-camp and Chief Security Officer of the military Head of State, General Sani Abacha -Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd).
Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief M.K.O Abiola widely believed to have won the 1993 presidential election was killed in Lagos during the unrest that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (CSO), Mohammed Abacha (son of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha), and Lateef Shofolahan were accused of orchestrating her killing.
They were arraigned before the Lagos High Court in two count bordering on conspiracy to commit murder and the murder of Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996.
On January 30, 2012, the Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada found them guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging. However, on July 12, 2013, the Court of Appeal overturned the judgment, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Subsequently, Lagos State Government appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking a reinstatement of the original death sentence.
In 2014, the Supreme Court granted Lagos State leave to reopen the appeal despite the expiration of the filing deadline.
However, at a sitting held this week, the apex court noted that Lagos State had failed to file any processes or be counsel since it was granted leave to revive the case.
-9News Nigeria.
