In a statement on Sunday, the Yoruba socio-political group noted that Friday’s judgment meant that no court had convicted alleged perpetrators of all the high profile murders carried out during the regime of late Mr. Abacha.
“Now that the Appeal Court has pronounced Al-Mustapha guiltless as charged, we can as well say the late despotic ruler, Sani Abacha, under whom Al-Mustapha served as Chief Security Officer, did no evil and therefore should never again be spoken ill of,” the group said in a statement signed by Kunle Famoriyo, Media and Publicity Secretary.
“It is also instructive that no one has been pronounced guilty of any of the numerous high profile murders in this country, which makes it difficult not to believe that Nigeria’s justice administration system is not skewed against the poor and ordinary citizens languishing in our prisons for frivolous charges,” the group added.
The group further said despite the revelations during the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa’s Reconciliation Panel, no effort had been made to heal the wounds of evil that have been perpetrated by those who wielded power unduly.
“One is being forced to believe that justice in Nigeria is defined by influence and power instead of equality before the law,” said Mr. Famoriyo.
“Oputa panel was only good for the media frenzy it created and did nothing to make us forget evils of the past so we can forge ahead as one true nation,” he added.
The group noted that Nigeria’s seeming economic and infrastructural development “will be like a man sitting on a three-legged chair” if there’s no justice and egalitarianism.
“We are of the opinion that building a just society, is even far more important than any form of development and it is the reason we have been sounding the gong for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, without which true and lasting peace may remain elusive to.
us, cutting us short of attaining our full potential,” Mr. Famoriyo said.
“Kudirat Abiola walked a golden path and left an enviable legacy. Had her husband, late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, been allowed to rule according to the June 12 mandate, she would have dignified First Lady office and would undoubtedly use it to defend human rights.
“Therefore, let nobody think the demand that her killers be brought to book is going to benefit her in anyway; for she has been assured a good place in history,” Mr. Famoriyo added.
Source: Premium Times
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