Lagos to appeal al-Mustapha’s acquittal

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has approached the Supreme Court to review the judgment of the court of appeal which acquitted and discharged Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan.

The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye disclosed this at the monthly press briefing on law and order in Lagos.

In attendance were journalists from different media houses, the Solicitor General, the Director of Public Prosecution and some other officials of the state’s justice ministry.

He addressed the law and order issues in the state.

The Attorney General ended the speculations on whether the state government would challenge the court of appeal judgment of the 12th of July which upturned the death sentence the Lagos High Court had placed on former Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and his co-defendant, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, when he confirmed that the Justice Ministry will appeal the court judgement which set the two accused free.

The court of appeal had quashed their conviction,discharged and acquitted both men on charges of attempted murder and murder of the late kudirat Abiola.

Ipaye, who refused to give details of the appeal, said the apex court would provide the final resolution of the case.

He said, “I can report that we have indeed appealed the judgments, one in respect of al-Mustapha and the other in respect of Lateef Shofolahan.

“Both have been studied closely and we came to the conclusion that there were good grounds for appeal and we have since filed all the necessary papers.

“We did that on Monday. Officially, we have put in our indication that we want to contest the judgment of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

“This step will also ensure that all issues are fully articulated and the victim’s family, the defendants and the society are not deprived of the last window of opportunity provided by the constitution for the resolution of the case.”