By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the long-running trial of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd), former Chief Security Officer to late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over the murder of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late politician and business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji, the apex court held that the Lagos State government had effectively lost interest in the prosecution and abandoned the matter, thereby warranting its dismissal.

Mrs. Kudirat Abiola was the wife of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Following the annulment, Nigeria was plunged into a nationwide political crisis marked by mass protests, civil resistance, arrests of pro-democracy activists and violent crackdowns by security forces.

Kudirat Abiola emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the struggle to actualise the June 12 mandate after her husband was arrested and detained by the military regime of General Sani Abacha.

She was assassinated in Lagos during the heat of the pro-democracy agitation, a killing that shocked the nation and became one of the most symbolic tragedies of the era.

Major Al-Mustapha, a powerful figure in the Abacha regime, was later charged by the Lagos State Government for allegedly masterminding her murder.

The case, which spanned several years and multiple legal twists, became one of Nigeria’s most high-profile and controversial murder trials, closely watched by human rights groups, civil society organisations and the international community.

However, in its ruling, the Supreme Court faulted the Lagos State Government for its failure to diligently prosecute the appeal before it.

Justice Aba-Aji noted that despite being served with hearing notices since 2020, the state government failed to file a notice of appeal and a brief of argument for a period spanning about nine years.

According to the court, such a prolonged delay amounted to a clear indication that the prosecution was no longer interested in pursuing the case.

The apex court further expressed strong displeasure that there was no legal representation for the Lagos State Government at the hearing, and that no explanation or information was provided to either the court or the respondent regarding the persistent absence.

Justice Aba-Aji held that nine years was more than sufficient time for any serious litigant to take the necessary procedural steps to keep an appeal alive.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the case in its entirety, bringing a final legal closure to the trial of Hamza Al-Mustapha over the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has stated that he is legally restrained from constituting a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

The statement is contained in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, dated January 20, 2026.

In the letter, Justice Amadi referred to two letters from the House of Assembly, both dated January 16, 2026, which requested him “to appoint seven (7) persons to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, pursuant to Section 188(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The requests were based on resolutions of the House pursuant to Section 188(4) of the Constitution.

A similar request was made regarding the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, in the same language and effect, according to the Chief Judge.

Justice Amadi revealed that his office had also received two separate court orders of interim injunction on January 16, 2026 in two suits:

Suit No.: OYHC/6/CS/2026 – Her Excellency, Prof. (Ms.) Ngozi Nma Odu, DSSRS Vs. The Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, DSSRS (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly) & 32 Ors and Suit No.: OYHC/7/CS/2026 – His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS Vs. The Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly) & 32 Ors.

The Chief Judge is listed as the 32nd Defendant/Respondent in both suits, and the interim orders were served on his office on January 16.

Justice Amadi cited paragraph 1 of the orders, which reads: “That an interim injunction is hereby made, restraining the 32nd Defendant, i.e., The Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State from receiving, forwarding, considering and or howsoever acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st-27th and 31st Defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct of the Claimant/Applicant for seven days.”

Attached to his letter were certified true copies of the court orders. Justice Amadi emphasized the importance of constitutionalism and the rule of law, noting that “all persons and authorities are expected to obey subsisting orders of court of competent jurisdiction, irrespective of perception of its regularity or otherwise.”

The Chief Judge also referenced case law in support of his position, citing Hon. Dele Abiodun vs. The Hon. Chief Judge of Kwara State & 3 Ors. (2007) 18 NWLR, 109-169, in which the Court of Appeal condemned a Chief Judge for constituting a panel to investigate allegations against an appellant despite a subsisting restraining order.

The court warned, “I liken the scenario created by the Chief Judge to the position of a chief priest and custodian of an oracle turning round to desecrate the oracle. The Chief Judge of the State who is the custodian and head of the judicial arm of the State, ought to abide by the Laws of the State, nay the land…”

Justice Amadi added that the Speaker of the House has already filed an appeal against the interim orders at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, with notices served on 19th and 20th January. He explained that under the doctrine of lis pendens, “parties and the court have to await the outcome of the appeal.”

He concluded that, due to the subsisting interim orders and pending appeal, his “hand is fettered” and he is “legally disabled at this point from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant.”

Justice Amadi urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to “be magnanimous enough to appreciate the legal position of the matter.”

The Assembly had sought the establishment of a seven-member panel to probe Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, regarding allegations of gross misconduct.

The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and alleged refusal to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the legislature.

The House commenced the impeachment proceedings days after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused the governor of reneging on a peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

Consequently, the impeachment proceedings have been halted by the judiciary, creating a tense political deadlock in the state. The path forward now depends on either a resolution of the pending court case or a new legal strategy by the State Assembly.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the Nigeria Police to sustain peace and security across the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday.

Governor Yusuf made this known during a courtesy visit to the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, at his office.

He said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the state government and the police command, as well as reinforcing mutual cooperation and understanding.

The governor noted that insecurity was one of the major challenges he faced upon assuming office, stressing that the situation has significantly improved under the leadership of CP Bakori.

He emphasized that Kano belongs to all its people, adding that political differences should never be used as an excuse to compromise security.

Governor Yusuf said politicians must rise above partisan interests when it comes to the safety of lives and property, noting that while political disagreements may exist, security issues must remain non-negotiable.

“As politicians, we may belong to different platforms, but on matters of security, we must unite under one umbrella for the good of Kano,” the governor said.

He further assured the police command of the state government’s moral and institutional support, adding that the people of Kano are fully aware of, and appreciative of, the efforts of the police in maintaining peace.

In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, described the governor’s visit as a clear demonstration of his commitment, support, and goodwill towards the police force.

CP Bakori said the governor’s continuous support, encouragement, and guidance since his assumption of office have greatly contributed to the successes recorded by the command.

He reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to working closely with the state government to ensure sustained peace and security across Kano State.

The Commissioner of Police also used the opportunity to parade three suspects who allegedly killed a mother with her entire children in Dorayi-Chiranci quarters few days ago.