Human Rights Lawyer Ogebe to Major Al-Mustapha: Seek Forgiveness from God, Abiola Family, Others

TDHuman rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe, Esq. has reacted strongly to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike out the criminal case against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former aide to late General Sani Abacha, citing failure of prosecution by the Lagos State Government.

While the ruling itself raised concerns about accountability for one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s human rights history, Ogebe said the comments that followed from Major Al-Mustapha were even more troubling.

Al-Mustapha’s Post-Judgment Claims

Following the judgment, Major Al-Mustapha reportedly described his ordeal as a “harrowing, unforgettable and traumatic journey”.

He claimed he was arrested and arraigned on trumped-up charges orchestrated by unnamed forces.

He said the verdict vindicated him, declared his innocence, forgave his accusers as a Muslim, and expressed readiness to return to public life.

He also thanked Nigerians, his family, and his legal team, alleging they suffered harassment, attacks, and intimidation during his trial.

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Ogebe’s Response: ‘An Assault on National Conscience’

Ogebe described these claims as a “brutish assault on our sensibilities and national psyche”.

He argued that it is deeply disturbing for one of the most feared figures of the Abacha era to now claim victimhood, innocence, and vindication.

As a former detainee of Major Al-Mustapha, Ogebe said he is compelled to speak for the sake of history and justice.

According to him, he is the only pro-democracy activist tortured inside the Aso Presidential Villa that survived.

On the Kudirat Abiola Assassination

Ogebe said that Al-Mustapha’s remarks, particularly following the dismissal of the murder case involving Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, amount to “dancing on the grave of the victim” and insulting Nigerians who suffered under the military regime.

He recalled that he was abducted and tortured in Aso Villa simply for demanding a judicial inquiry into Kudirat Abiola’s killing.

Debunking Claims About ‘Abacha Foreign Investments’

Ogebe strongly rejected Al-Mustapha’s earlier claim that Abacha merely invested funds abroad for Nigeria.

He cited ongoing money-laundering forfeiture proceedings in the United States, involving about €200 million, as evidence that the funds were stolen public assets.

He questioned why Nigeria has struggled to reclaim the money if it was a legitimate government investment.

He also questioned why individuals linked to the funds have been convicted or forced to return money to Nigeria.

Evidence from International Courts

Ogebe referenced detailed findings from U.S. federal court proceedings describing a massive, systematic looting operation involving:

• Fake “national security” letters

• Unauthorized withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria

• Cash deliveries to senior regime figures

• Transfers to foreign accounts controlled by Abacha associates

According to court records, more than $2 billion was stolen through fraudulent security vote schemes between 1994 and 1998.

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Documented Cash Withdrawals and Transactions

Ogebe outlined numerous documented instances where huge sums of cash—running into tens of millions of dollars and pounds sterling—were withdrawn from the CBN on vague claims of national security, diplomacy, propaganda, or political survival.

These transactions, he said, clearly show industrial-scale looting rather than any form of savings or legitimate investment.

See the “Documented Transactions Table” below.

Personal Knowledge of the ‘Security Vote’ Scam

Ogebe further revealed an incident where a forged national security memo was allegedly used to withdraw ₦700 million from the CBN.

The heist, he noted, involved one of Al-Mustapha’s bodyguards.

He, however, stated that Al-Mustapha was eventually cleared in that specific case.

Ogebe, nonetheless, argued that such experiences make it impossible for him to credibly claim ignorance of the broader looting.

Moral Reckoning and Call for Repentance

Ogebe accused Al-Mustapha of benefiting from a broken legal system that favours the powerful.

He stressed that many victims of the regime were denied fair trials, appeals, or mercy, including Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, who were executed without appeal.

He contrasted Al-Mustapha’s freedom with the plight of ordinary Nigerians who suffered unjust imprisonment or death sentences.

Final Appeal

Ogebe concluded by urging Major Al-Mustapha to:

• Accept moral responsibility

• Seek forgiveness from God, the Abiola family, and other victims

• Refrain from portraying himself as a victim

• “Go and sin no more”

He cited testimony by Sgt. Rogers (Mshelia Jabila), who publicly claimed he was sent by Al-Mustapha on assassination missions, including that of Kudirat Abiola.

Documented Transactions Table