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The family of
detained former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late military ruler
Sani Abacha, Hamza Al Mustapha, rose from a meeting yesterday in Kano
with a resolution that the continued detention of Mr. Mustapha is a
result of state persecution.

Hadi Al Mustapha,
immediate younger brother to the detained man, addressed journalists in
Kano shortly after what he described as a crucial family meeting to
appraise 11 years of Mr. Al Mustapha’s incarceration.

The obviously
unhappy man could not hide the family’s frustration over the slowness
in the trial of his elder brother, saying the family is tired with the
way the case is going on.

“We have come
together as a family to appraise the misfortune that has befallen us.
We are deeply convinced that his long incarceration has so many
elements of political undertone, and believe that Major Hamza is a
victim of state persecution,” he said.

Mr. Al Mustapha,
who was arrested alongside other officers for allegedly plotting a coup
in 1998, was freed of that allegation and was later charged in 1999
with the attempted murder of the publisher of The Guaradian, Alex Ibru.
He has since been in detention, while hearing on the case drags through
the court.

“The case has,
since 1999, passed through the hands of 13 different judges and have
equally suffered endless adjournments, making it the longest judicial
trial in the history of Nigeria,” Hadi al Mustapha said.

Survived four presidents

He contended that
various attempts to rope in Mr. Al Mustapha had failed, following the
confession of principal witnesses that they were induced to implicate
the former security chief for pecuniary reasons. He also expressed the
family’s worry that the legal case has survived four different
presidents, Abdulsalam Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa
Yar’Adua, and now, Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan.

“The case is not given the desired attention, in spite of cries from several quarters for his release,” he said.

Mr. Al Mustapha
said the family is grateful to well meaning Nigerians who have been
trying to intervene to secure his brother’s release, adding that the
solidarity has helped them keep hope alive.

“We call on Mr.
Jonathan to demonstrate enough political will that will lead to the
conclusion of the case. History will remember him for tempering mercy
with justice,” he said.

The trial of Mr. Mustapha and his colleagues have dragged partly
from the legal tactics employed by their lawyers, sometimes forcing
judges to drop the case.