had late General Abacha's former chief security officer,
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha indicted for reportedly running an
assassination squad aimed at targeting President Jonathan's political opponents ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.
Al-Mustapha, who is abroad, has however reacted through his
counsel Barrister Olalekan Ojo, challenging Obasanjo to
produce evidence to support this claim.
In the 18-page letter to the President, Obasanjo said Jonathan
interfered with the court process to set a murderer free, and
organised a presidential reception for him.
In his reaction, Al-Mustapha's counsel Ojo told Abuja-
headquartered newspaper, Daily Trust that:
"To the best of my knowledge, President Jonathan never
organised or sponsored any welcome rally to Al-Mustapha
after his release. The impression (of Obasanjo's letter) is that
the Court of Appeal caved into pressure from President
Jonathan, to that extent, the comment is disturbing, worrisome
and unwarranted.
The judiciary should be left alone and not be dragged into
politics. The Justices of the Court of Appeal in Lagos that sat
over the case are jurists of impeccable character and it is not
fair for anybody, no matter how well-placed, to attack the
integrity of these judges. We challenge Obasanjo to produce
evidence of such interference to make it available to the
public."
Ojo added: "My client was discharged and acquitted on the
merit of his appeal. Majority of those who commented on the
judgment expressed satisfaction. It is most unfortunate that a
person like OBJ could accuse the President of using his
exalted office for such a sinister and morally reprehensible thing. It must be stated that if OBJ has any issue to settle with the President, he should not drag Al-Mustapha into it.
At no time has he been involved in any such thing. It is totally
false. Al-Mustapha is earnestly committed to the promotion of
peace and harmony in Nigeria. It is most unfair that such an
allegation should be made against him. It is an attempt to give a dog a bad name to hang him.
When Al-Mustapha returns (from abroad) he will make a
loaded response".
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