MAJOR Hamza al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, on Wednesday dragged an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil, before the Upper Shariah Court, Daura Road in Kaduna State, for an alleged defamation of character.
The former CSO, in a Criminal Direct Complain Summon deposed before the court by his counsel, Sadau Garba, sued the Islamic cleric for defamation and mischievous propaganda against his person.
The summons stated that on a Friday in December 2013, Sheikh Khalil preached a sermon at the Sani Zangon Daura Jummu’at Mosque, alleging that Al-Mustapha was contracted by the government to train snipers to kill some 1000 people in the country in order to promote a political ambition.
“The defamatory words are contained in both CD and DVD plates recorded with the knowledge and consent of the accused person and were being sold to members of the public, both within and outside Nigeria contrary to the provision of section 137 (1) Shariah Penal Code 2002, Kaduna State,” the summons read.
It noted that the in course of the preaching, the cleric also stated that that “the evil that men do lives after them. Information has reached me (that) you are in charge of training some young snipers and killers to promote your political ambition.
“These boys are being trained to kill some 1,000 people in this country perceived to be stumbling block on your part to achieving your political ambition. That is what (ex-President Olusegun) Obasanjo said in his letter. If it is Sanusi that said this, they will accuse him of abusing some people.
“This is what Obasanjo told Jonathan in his letter. About two to three Fridays ago, in this place, I told you about the existence of these sniper boys….
“The person that was given this unfortunately is a Muslim brother. He has been given the contract of training and mobilising them on how to use these boys in wanton killings in order to win election at all cost. Let’s call a spade a spade, the person that was given this contract is Al-Mustapha…….
“I swear with the name of God where he first started sitting with these boys, the venue and the time he sat, I swear with the name of God I have all the details…
“Are you not the one being accused of bringing terrorism into Nigeria? Mustapha, when you were arrested and detained, the poor Muslims, Christians, soldiers, police; Nigerians, both within and outside the country, all sympathised with you, prayed for you. If you are to pay for these prayers, I swear with the name of God, you don’t have the money to pay”.
As early as 9:00am, the court was sealed up by a combined team of soldiers, police and members of the Civil Defence Corps, thereby causing fear and panic among residents of the area.
But the absence of the presiding judge, Mallam Mustapha Umar, who was away to Abuja for a seminar, stalled the hearing of the case, which has been consequently adjourned to May 22, 2014.
Al-Mustapha, while speaking to newsmen shortly after the adjournment of the case, said he decided to approach the court to seek for justice against what he described as “dangerous” propaganda against his person. “
When asked why he did not join Obasanjo, who made similar allegations in his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, Al-Mustapha said he did not sue the former President because he did not mention his names in his letter to the Jonathan.
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