AL-MUSTAPHA DISCHARGED AND ACQUITTED BY APPEAL COURT

The Court of Appeal in Lagos has discharged and acquitted Hamza
Al-Mustapha from the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

The judgment overturns that of the Lagos High Court which sentenced
him to death by hanging.

The presiding judge accused the lower court of being "stroked to
secure a conviction by all means."

Mr. Al-Mustapha was a former chief security officer to the late
dictator, Sani Abacha.

He was sentenced to death on January 30 for conspiracy and murder of
Mrs. Abiola.

Mrs. Abiola, 45, was shot in Lagos on June 4, 1996, as the lower court
ruled, on the orders of Mr. Al-Mustapha.