June 12: Kudirat’s Ghost Still Cries For Justice

[Shola Sholaz]

As Nigerians continue to remember the passing away of presumed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, who died in incarceration in 1998 after being denied his mandate, legal battle over the murder of his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, is still raging followin the conviction of Major Hamza Al- Mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, by a Lagos State High Court.
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Al-Mustapha, who was d former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, and Shofolahan, former Personal Assistant to late Kudirat, were sentenced to death following their arraignment on a four-count charge of conspiracy and their involvement in the 1996 murder of the deceased, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
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Kudirat's murder case was adjudged to be the longest criminal trials ever experienced in the nation's history, lasting more than 12 years with 5 successive judges during which time d accused persons were held in detention.
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Dis time in prison calendar is equivalent to 20 years.