LAGOS MAY 1ST (URHOBOTODAY)- Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has dragged a prominent Islamic preacher, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil before the Upper Shariah Court, Daura Road, Kaduna for alleged defamation of character.
The case came up for mention on Tuesday at about 9:00 am amidst tight security by a combined team of soldiers, police and members of the Civil Defence Corps who sealed off Daura Road, causing fear and panic among residents of the area.
However, the matter was not heard due to the absence of the judge, Mallam Mustapha Umar.
Newsdiaryonline broke this unfolding story with a report titled : ‘Contract to Train Snipers:Pressure Mounts on Al-Mustapha to Drag Sheikh Khalil to Court’ in an exclusive report published January 15th 2014.
Almustpha in a criminal direct complaint summon deposed before the court by his counsel, Sadau Garba, said he sued the Islamic cleric for defamation and mischievous propaganda against his person.
According to the summons, sometimes 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 to promote a political ambition.
“The defamatory” words, according to the summons, “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 stated that the Islamic cleric, in the course of his preaching was alleged to have stated thus: “The evil that men do live 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 1000 people in this country perceived to be stumbling block on your part to achieving your political ambition. That is what (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”.
In an interview shortly after the case was adjourned to May 22, 2014, Al-Mustapha said he approached the court to seek justice against dangerous propaganda against his person.
“We filed a motion of criminal direct complain before the court and we are here seeking for justice over some mischievous allegations against me which I see as a dangerous propaganda that requires legal attention.
“The issues in the case are numerous, I don’t want to delve into them, I want the court to
look at it speedily and bring out the contents so that justice would be done at the shortest time possible in the interest of peace, security harmony and in the interest of religion upon which the person we have brought before the court has utilised. I am a Muslim, he is a Muslim” he said.
Asked why he didn’t sue former President Olusegun Obasanjo who also made similar allegations in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, Al-Mustapha explained that he did not take legal action against Obasanjo because he (Obasanjo) did not mention his (Al-Mustapha) name in the allegation in the letter to the President.
Also reacting in an interview at the court premises, the accused person, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil said Allah is in control of what comes out of the case.
“I am in court because Major Al-Mustapha has sued me in respect of my Jumu’at sermon. He is alleging defamation of character. I believe that this is a Shariah court and Shariah court is the best for the Muslims. All I know is that Allah is in control and what comes out of this case, I know it is a destiny from Allah” he said.