Supreme Court ends Kudirat Abiola murder case, dismisses Lagos appeal
The Supreme Court has concluded the long-standing murder case of Kudirat Abiola by dismissing the Lagos State Government’s attempt to revive the prosecution of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd.). The court ruled that Lagos State abandoned its appeal against Al-Mustapha’s acquittal by failing to take legal action for nine years. Kudirat Abiola, wife of Chief MKO Abiola, was assassinated in Lagos on June 4, 1996. The decision brings an end to all legal proceedings related to the case.
What we know
- The Supreme Court dismissed Lagos State’s appeal to reopen the murder case of Kudirat Abiola.
- Kudirat Abiola was killed in Lagos on June 4, 1996, during agitation over the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
- Lagos State was granted leave by the Supreme Court in 2014 to file an appeal within 30 days but failed to do so.
- The Court of Appeal had acquitted Al-Mustapha in 2013, citing insufficient evidence.
- With this ruling, the Supreme Court has closed all legal avenues to revive the prosecution in the case.
