THE Court of Appeal, Lagos Division Monday adjourned hearing in the appeal filed by Major Hamza Al-mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, an aide to the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola over the death sentence passed on them by Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere.
Justice Dada convicted the duo and sentenced them to death by hanging in January 2012 over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola wife of MKO Abiola in Lagos.
The court adjourned proceedings at the instance of counsel to the respondent (Lagos State Government), Femi Adamson who informed the appellate court, presided over by Justice Chima Nweze that the respondent has an application for extension of time dated April 29, 2013, to enable the state government file its respondent's brief of argument.
While apologising for late filing of the said application, Adamson, who is Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, explained that it was due to hitches beyond his control.
When asked by the appellate court of their responses, counsel to the convicted CSO, Joseph Daudu (SAN) said even though he would not oppose the application for extension of time, the development was not fair in its entirety.
Similarly, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Shofolahan expressed displeasure over the development but aligned himself to the stance of Daudu (SAN).
The appellate court in its position held that the attitude of the Lagos State government in its approach towards hearing of the appeal is not encouraging.
The Guardian