Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd), has described the Supreme Court’s decision ending his prosecution over the murder of Kudirat Abiola as a moment of forgiveness, closure and renewed dedication to Nigeria.

Speaking for the first time after the apex court, on January 22, brought to an end a legal battle that lasted 28 years across the Lagos High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, Al-Mustapha said the judgment affirmed his innocence and freed him to move forward without resentment.

He said he bore no grudge against any individual or institution and expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for allowing the judiciary to carry out its duties without interference throughout the prolonged trial.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Al-Mustapha thanked his family, Nigerians and the judiciary for standing by him during what he described as “a harrowing, unforgettable and traumatic journey that began like a joke and which has finally ended on a very happy note.”

“My battle with the forces of darkness started in 1998 when I, along with others, was arrested and arraigned on trumped-up charges orchestrated by those who decided not only to blackmail me, but also to get rid of me for reasons best known to them,” he said.

“Of course, it would be an understatement to say that the 28 years of trial that followed were enjoyable. But to the glory of Almighty Allah, all ended well at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

He said the verdict had enabled him to put the painful chapter behind him and move on with his life.

“As a good and patriotic Nigerian, I have to put all that happened behind me, gear up and get ready to move on with my life without grudges against any individual or institution,” he said.

Al-Mustapha added that the judgment had vindicated him completely.

“The Supreme Court verdict has vindicated me and proved my innocence; so what more do I ask Almighty Allah for than the heart to forgive all those who masterminded my almost three-decade ordeal. As a Muslim, I have forgiven them all.”

He said he was now prepared to return to public life in a positive and constructive manner. “I am ready now to contribute my own quota to the well-being, development and advancement of Nigeria,” he said.

Paying tribute to the Justices of the Supreme Court, Al-Mustapha said, “To the eminent and erudite Justices at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, I remain eternally effusive in my gratitude for your painstaking and just judgment. I thank you so much for living up to expectations as the last hope of the common and defenceless man.”

He also thanked Nigerians who supported him during the trial, as well as members of his family who, he said, endured sustained harassment.

“I am grateful to my parents, who suffered from wanton harassment by forces bent on seeing my end. My wife and children, who also suffered deliberate harassment, deserve commendation for standing firm, even in the face of all threats,” he said.

Al-Mustapha acknowledged the ordeals faced by his siblings, legal team and associates, noting that his lawyers were subjected to “physical attacks, illegal break-ins and burglary of their chambers,” while friends experienced “illegal searches and abuses.”

On a sombre note, he remembered journalists and others who lost their lives or were injured while covering the trial.

“On a sad note, however, I remember all those who paid the supreme price and other patriots who sustained life-threatening injuries, especially from all the geo-political zones of Nigeria, in the course of covering my court trial,” he said.

“I sympathise with their family members and other loved ones. They are heroes, and their labours shall not be in vain.”

He concluded by urging Nigerians to move beyond bitterness and division, calling on citizens to reject hatred and work together in unity “to ensure that Nigeria becomes the country of our lofty dreams for the sake of posterity.”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he misses the leadership style of former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, noting that things are no longer the same since his exit from office.

Makinde made the remark on Saturday in Ibadan while speaking at a public event attended by Osinbajo, where he reflected on the former vice president’s role in managing Nigeria’s economic affairs as chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

“Sir, I personally miss you in that position (presidency). A lot of people may not know why things are not really the same. It’s not a political talk because I’m not on that podium,” the governor said.

He explained that Osinbajo’s leadership during NEC meetings significantly influenced key decisions he took as a new governor, particularly during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

“I remember I was barely seven months into the position of the governor of Oyo State, and that was my very first public service job. And we had a crisis in the country; this was February 2020.

“There was COVID, and we came in for the National Economic Council meeting. It was a hot meeting; the chairman of the council (Osinbajo) came in, and a few of my colleagues. I wasn’t sure whether they held a meeting before that meeting, but they came in and said we should all go back and lock down our state. So, for Oyo State people, why I did not lock down during COVID was because of his decision,” Makinde said.

The governor also criticised the current administration’s handling of the tax reform bills, describing the process as lacking consultation and openness.

“But we had the same situation in this dispensation; it was the tax bill, and we said, ‘Look, bring the tax bill; bring it back; let us all have an opportunity to look dispassionately at it,’ but you cannot speak truth to power in this dispensation; the tax bill will go ahead,” he said.

Makinde further expressed concern that state governors were sidelined in decisions affecting fiscal policy.

“They said the tax bill will go ahead. It is an affront for even the governors to be saying that what the presidency has done to send the tax bill to the National Assembly. The tax bill, we don’t know what was passed at the National Assembly, we don’t also know what was signed up. When I say I miss you, I miss you so much sir,” he added.

Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have intensified efforts to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at economic transformation and restoring confidence in governance, has begun to yield positive results, warranting a second term in office.

Those leading the mobilisation include the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, Emma Enukwu, and the Chairman of the party’s State Caretaker Committee, Ben Nwoye, among other party stakeholders.

Speaking during a membership revalidation exercise at his Obinagu ward in Udi Local Government Area, Enukwu emphasised the importance of party members and supporters obtaining their APC membership cards and Permanent Voter Cards to enable them participate fully in future elections.

He explained that the introduction of electronic registration and membership revalidation was designed to align the APC with modern political party operations and strengthen its grassroots structure.

Enukwu assured President Tinubu of strong electoral backing from Enugu State in 2027, expressing optimism that the party would significantly improve on its performance in the last general election.

Nwoye, who spoke at Amurri ward in Nkanu West Local Government Area, said the growing unity among APC stakeholders in the area would make it difficult for opposition parties to gain ground in the 2027 polls.

He urged party members to revalidate their membership and encouraged new entrants to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise, stressing that President Tinubu and Governor Mbah deserve a second term to consolidate on their achievements.

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah’s Chief of Staff, Victor Udeh, was formally received into the APC at his Umuabi community in Udi Local Government Area, amid celebrations by party supporters.

Udeh said his decision to join the APC was motivated by the reforms being implemented by the current administration, adding that he would contribute to strengthening the party’s presence in the area.

He called on residents to continue supporting the government, noting that sustained public backing was essential for delivering on promises aimed at improving governance and development in Enugu State.

Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria nearly two years after serving a prison sentence in the United Kingdom.

She arrived in the country on Tuesday, January 21, landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she was welcomed by friends and relatives.

Her return followed the completion of legal and custodial processes arising from a case that began in 2022.

Mrs Ekweremadu was convicted alongside her husband for her involvement in an organ trafficking conspiracy that attracted widespread international attention.

While Ike Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison as the principal offender, his wife received a sentence of four years and six months.

The Ekweremadus were found guilty of facilitating the travel of a 21-year-old street trader from Nigeria to the United Kingdom with the intention of harvesting his kidney for their daughter, Sonia, who suffers from chronic kidney disease.

The prosecution was conducted under the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Also convicted in the case was Obinna Obeta, described as a medical “middleman,” who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in the UK.

Ike Ekweremadu remains in a UK correctional facility, where he continues to serve his sentence.

Their daughter, Sonia, who was cleared of all criminal charges during the 2023 trial, is still undergoing medical treatment for her condition.

Under UK law, individuals convicted of non-violent offences are typically eligible for release on licence after serving half of their custodial sentence.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is set to formally re-register as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, following his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) last Friday.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa.

According to the statement, Yusuf’s decision to return to the APC was guided by what it described as prevailing realities of governance, national unity, and development priorities.

The statement recalled that Yusuf initially joined the APC in 2014 and had emerged as the party’s candidate for the Kano Central Senatorial seat, before stepping down in favour of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

It added that the governor would “formally register as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano on Monday, January 26, 2026.”

The governor was also quoted as saying that rejoining the ruling party would deepen collaboration with the Federal Government and help accelerate development in Kano State.

“Rejoining the APC will further strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, accelerate infrastructural development, enhance security coordination and improve service delivery across Kano State,” the statement said.

The spokesperson added that the move is expected to consolidate political stability and promote unity within the state.

According to the statement, Yusuf will register alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and the 44 local government chairmen in the state.

The governor is also expected to officially flag off the APC electronic registration exercise in Kano on the same day.

DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported that arrangements were being made for Yusuf’s reception into the APC, following directives from the party’s national leadership for stakeholders loyal to the governor to liaise with the party’s Organising Secretary ahead of the registration exercise.