{"id":4465,"date":"2013-05-30T13:25:25","date_gmt":"2013-05-30T13:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigeria-news\/al-mustaphas-appeal-judge-withdraws\/"},"modified":"2013-05-30T13:25:25","modified_gmt":"2013-05-30T13:25:25","slug":"al-mustaphas-appeal-judge-withdraws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/al-mustaphas-appeal-judge-withdraws\/","title":{"rendered":"Al-Mustapha\u2019s Appeal: Judge Withdraws"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Justice Ibrahim Saulawa of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, on Thursday declined hearing an appeal filed by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, challenging a death sentence against them.<\/p>\n

Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, and Shofolahan, former Personal Assistant to Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, are challenging their death sentence by a Lagos High Court.<\/p>\n

The convicts were sentenced to death on 30 January, 2012, by Justice Mojisola Dada, for conspiracy in masterminding the murder of Kudirat.<\/p>\n

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matter, which was schedule for arguments of parties, could not continue as the presiding justice declined hearing for personal reasons.<\/p>\n

Saulawa told the appellants\u2019 counsel that he could only assist them in recording a further date for arguments, but will not participate in hearing the main appeal.<\/p>\n

He, therefore, adjourned the case till 10 June for hearing.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the judge granted two applications filed by Mr Pedro Lawal (SAN) and Mr Olalekan Ojo, counsel to the respondent and second appellant, respectively.<\/p>\n

Lawal in his application, sought to amend his respondent\u2019s brief by substituting it and deeming same as been properly filed and served.<\/p>\n

Ojo on his part, prayed for an order, deeming his reply to the amended respondent\u2019s brief, as properly filed and served.<\/p>\n

Saulawa granted the applications, adding that it was the much he could do in the matter.<\/p>\n

NAN recalls that the convicts were arraigned in October 1999 on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and involvement in the 1996 murder of the deceased.<\/p>\n

Kudirat was murdered in front of 7up Nigeria Plc, Oregun, on the Ikosi-Ketu Road.<\/p>\n

Dada had found the convicts guilty of the offence and accordingly sentenced them to death by hanging.<\/p>\n

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