NPC wants Law on Withdrawal of female children from school

Chairman of the National Population Commission in Zamfara State, Alhaji Isuhu Muhammad Anka, has called on northern governors to enact laws that would prohibit parents from withdrawing their female childrenfrom schools for marriage in order to tackle teenage pregnancyand motherhood in the region. At a press conference to commemorate the World Population Day in Gusau, Anka said unless something urgent in done in the north, teenage pregnancy and motherhood would continue to be a serious problem. “Young girls are being withdrawn from school for marriage and this exposes them to the danger of unstable marital life because teenage mothers are too young to know the implications of marriage and make informed decisions on it”, he said.

NPC wants Law on Withdrawal of female children from school

Chairman of the National Population Commission in Zamfara State, Alhaji Isuhu Muhammad Anka, has called on northern governors to enact laws that would prohibit parents from withdrawing their female childrenfrom schools for marriage in order to tackle teenage pregnancyand motherhood in the region. At a press conference to commemorate the World Population Day in Gusau, Anka said unless something urgent in done in the north, teenage pregnancy and motherhood would continue to be a serious problem. “Young girls are being withdrawn from school for marriage and this exposes them to the danger of unstable marital life because teenage mothers are too young to know the implications of marriage and make informed decisions on it”, he said.

ABU Postpones Post-utme

Written by Isa Sa’idu...., Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, yesterday announced the indefinite postponement of this year’s post-UTME. The head of the university’s public affairs unit, Dr. Isma’il Shehu, in a press statementsaid, “The university wishes to announce the postponement of the 2013/2014 post-UTME because of the ongoing ASUU strike. However, candidates can continue their registration and screening exercise for the post-UTME while they await the announcement of a new date for the examination by ABU’s management”.

Why I'm angry with Amaechi- Patience Jonathan finally pours Out Her Mind...

For the first time, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, gave an indication that she might be behind the crisis rocking Rivers State at the moment as she opened up on a plethora of grudges she is nursing against the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. She said her "fight" with Governor Amaechi started four years ago, Mrs. Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy visitto the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone. She said, “Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do his work without the fear of man. “The truth will alwaysremain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we’ve handed over to God.’’ Nevertheless, she said she had always mediated between the governor and other parties in a crisis that she said began four years ago. According to her, “This matter started as far back as four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but (that he should) dialogue first with the people. “After that incident, he called the chairman ofOkrika (local government) and sacked him for holding a reception in our honour; that boy was the first victim. “He also put my people on curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sort of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way. “I’ve neverspoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you’ll say thetruth always because there are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say the exact opposite. “I also want you to know the genesis of this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grassthat suffers. “I appeal to Amaechi to sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time. “Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace with all men without which; we cannot see God. “Amaechi is my son; I cannot fight him, and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity. “One day, no matter how long it takes; we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity; others sat hereand left so one-day I’ll also leave, and we will meet at home; so why should I fight him? “Let’s calm down, face issues, leave non-existent matters, stop magnifying lies and respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance.” Before she spoke, the leader of the delegation, Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, Chairman, Niger Delta Bishops Forum, said “We areon a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary."

SHOCKING NEWS: Nigeria Senate approves marriage for Under aged children...parent watch out!

Story by Mufutau Omolewa The Senate of Federal republic of Nigeria has approved the marriage of under-aged children irrespective of their age in the country. This new law will proscribe the 18 year-old rule for any Nigerian child to qualify to engaged into a conscious agreement of marriage. The Senates claimed that a woman is deemed to be full of age once she is married irrespective of her age.The Proponents or supporters of the under-age marriage rule includes Senator Yerima Ahmad Sani, Zamfara West, who claimed that the provision which stipulates a certain age for women before getting married, was at variance with Islamic law. After a moment of controversy, Senate President David Mark asked his colleagues to vote afresh on the provision, a situation that eventually went in favour of Sani, who, thereafter, thanked the Senate president andhis colleagues for supporting his cause. It is worthy of note that Senator Yerima Ahmad Sani had two yearsago married a 13-year-old Egyptian in violation of the constitutional provision.

How police rounded up robbery gang that killed hotelier,6 others in lagos

By Ifeanyi Okolie Five members of a deadly armed robbery gang that killed nine persons last Sunday at Ajah and Ebute-Metta areas of the State, were at the early hours of last Sunday, gunned down during an exchange of gunfire with the police at Eko Bridge, Lagos Island. The robbers, who also killed two policemen during their onslaught, met their waterloo when operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, confronted them after they attacked Ebute-Ero and Ajao Estates respectively, recovering three automatic pump action guns,five pistols, ammunitions and assorted charms. Crime Alert gathered that the gang started their operation last Sunday around 1:00am at Ebute-Ero end ofLagos Island, where they opened fire on two policemen leaving one of them dead, while the other sustained severe bullet wounds. The gang went further to rob a warehouse at Ajao Estate, Isolo, around 2:30am, where they cartedaway cartons of exotic mobile phones, I-pads and Samsung Galaxy tabs. They also opened fire on a team of policemen on a patrolvehicle from Ajao Estate Police Station, who rushed to the scene following a distress call, killing one of them while others sustained injuries. Their operational vehicle Sources intimated Crime Alert that the Commissioner of police, Lagos State, Umar Manko, immediately ordered a clamp down on the gang when he received news of the attacks by the robbers and the officer in-charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, led four teams of SARS operatives in search of the robbers. It was further gathered that a team of policemen went to Ajao Estate where the gang was operating in two vehicles, a ToyotaOdyssey and a black colour Honda SUV, in search of them, while others went to Surulere and other parts of the State. About an hour later, the operativesat Surulere, spotted a Toyota Odyssey matching the description of the car being used by the robbers at the National Stadium and they went after it, but on approaching the vehicle, the occupants opened fire on the police vehicle in a bid to escape and the police responded. The robbers ran further to Eko Bridge, where the operatives succeeded inmeeting up with them and a gun battle ensured. Three of the dare-devils managed to jump off the bridge before the police could get to them, four werefound dead while one other, later identified as Ganiu Menter, was found alive with fatal bullet wounds. A police source who craved anonymity told Crime Alert that Menter, who later died from the fatal bullet wounds he receivedhad confessed to have taken part in the recent gruesome murder at 04 Hotel, Ajah, where they killed the owner, identified as Olanrewaju Subair, and six others, some of whom they raped and set ablaze. According to the source, the dying suspect also told the police that after the Ajah\ massacre, they went to a popular hotel along Apapa Road, Ebute-Meta, where they killed two security guards they alleged were police informants. Source- vanguard news

We won't support Jonathan in 2015-Northern igbo leaders

Written by Mike Oboh. Political leaders of Igbo extractions in the 19 Northern states have condemned the alliance between some governors in the South East and South South political zone to support the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential race. In a communiqué issued after its two day meeting in Kaduna, the group the South East Forum (SEF) stated that after it deliberated on the state of the nation as it concerns Ndigbo, they are not in support of such move as Ndigbo will present a presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections. The communique which was signed by 17 leaders of the forumincluding its coordinator in the 19northern states, Chief Damian Inyama and its Abuja chapter chairman Dr. PM Wilfred Okafor posited that the Igbo race has been subjected to perennial socio-political injustice since independence. It said: “in the light of the perennial socio-political injustice perpetrated in the Nigeria nation against the Igbo race which she has been deliberately denied by the state of the position of president since independence,” adding that, “this forum strongly insists that it is the turn of Ndigboto produce a president in 2015 and therefore encourages all lovers of justice and equity support this demand to produce the next president come 2015”. The communiqué decried the neglect of the Igbo following the loss it suffered in the wake of the political crisis and massacre that followed the 2011 presidential election in the North, arguing thatit was wrong for the Igbos who were the majors victim not to have been compensated. They also lashed out at south east governors and traditional rulers who are building support base for President Jonathan’s ‘re-election in 2015. Source: dailytrust newspaper

Ramadan: Shema donates 70,000 bags of foodstuffs to muslim

Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema ofKatsina State has donated over 70,000 bags of assorted rice, millets and sugar for onward distribution to Muslims in the state to enable them go through the fasting period with ease. Speaking at a PDP stakeholders’ emergency meeting yesterday, Governor Shema said the commodities are to be shared among Muslims free of charge and that the distribution will commence by Monday next week. He charged members of the distribution committee to have the fear God in the discharge of the duties.

JTF kills 3 suspected Boko Haram members in Jigawa

The Joint Task Force, JTF, has killed three Boko Haram members in Jigawa State and recovered their weapons in a pre-dawn raid at Guri Local Government Area of the state. Spokesman of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, made this known in a statement yesterday, adding that the weapons were recovered during the operation in the house where the Jihadists resided. The recovered weapons include four AK-47 rifles, five magazines and 164 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition for AK-47 rifles. Iweha said: “On Tuesday, July 16, following extensive intelligence build up, a combined team of the JTF involving the Nigerian Army of the 3 Brigade in Kano and the Kano State Department of State Services conducted a pre-dawn raid at a house occupied by members of the terrorist group in Abunabu village of Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State. “JTF had earlier warned, following the declaration of a state of emergency in some parts of the North East region of the country, that some fleeing elements of the terrorist network will be seeking refuge in other parts of the country, especially areas with little security presence. “Be rest assured that JTF will not rest on its oars in ensuring the safety of the good people of Jigawa State and the states within the area of operational responsibility of the Brigade.” He solicited “cooperation in the provision of useful information which will aid our operation.”

Nigeria universities and Their school fees

YABATECH => N35000 OAU => N37,000 UNIZIK => N67,000 FUNAAB => N48,000 AAU => N80,000 OOU => N135,000 RSUST => N40,000 FUTO => N40,000 DELSU => N38000 TSUJ => N32,000 FUOYE => N75,000 UNIBEN => N50,000 —-All sciences/Engeneering/ =N49500 Aceptance fee N45000 —-All social/management/education=N46000 Acceptance fee N45000 — Acceptance fee for college of medicine is N65000 NASARAWA => N21,000 UNIPORT => N36000 ABU => N41,000 LOKOJA=N38,000 MINNA => N30,000 LASU => N190,000 – 250,000 UI => N29,000 AAUA => N50,000 UNN => N39,000 NOUN=N38,000 BUK => N42,000 UNILAG => N40,000 ILORIN => N35,000 UNIOSUN => N85,000 TASUED => N60,000 LAUTECH => N95,000 UNAD => N105,000 BOWEN => N550,000 ABUJA => N40,000 IMSU => FREE UNIJOS => 39,000 ABU => N35,000 UNICAL=N40,000 ANSU => N46,000 KSUSTA => N35,000 LEAD => N1.5 mill FUTA => N47,000 ABSU => N90,000 YOLA => N34,000 BAYERO => 31,000 UNICAL=N38,5000 AKSU => N30,000 KSU indigene- 35,600, Non-indigenes- 53,500 OSUN POLY => N28000 IBADAN POLY => N 45000 FED POLY ADO => N29000 OWO POLY => N32000 MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLY => N75000 LASPOTECH => N38000 FEDERAL POLY OKO => N28000 FEDERAL POLY ILARO=> N30000 FEDERAL POLY BIDA => N23000 (it varies withdepartment) AUCHI POLYTECHNIC =>N27000 KADUNA POLY => N24000 ABIA POLY => N28000 ENUGU POLY => N26500 KWARA POLY => N21000 FEDERAL POLY NEKEDE=> N32000 Please, Help Us Keep This Page Updated, Correct any Errors or Irregularities, We might have made with your Institution, or add your fees, if its not listed, using the comment box below. Thank You to all who has contributed in this list!

ASUP suspends 85days old strike

Nigerian Polytechnic lecturers havesuspended their indefinite strike currently in its third month; and agreed to return to work. The lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, agreed to suspend the strike on Tuesday afternoon, the National Publicity Secretary of the Union, Clement Chiamen, told PREMIUM TIMES. The lecturers’ decision follows the meeting they had with the federal lawmakers and ministers last week, after which they said the National Executive Committee of ASUP would meet to review the government’s offer. More details later… source-premiumtimes newspaper

Wizkid inspired me-Iyanya

From all indications, first winner of the popular annual reality show, MTN Project Fame, Inyanya, would be older than sensational pop star, Wizkid, but the former has disclosed that he got inspiredby the latter to keep his head highin the music industry and achieved the success he has today. Wizkid gained fame with his 'Holla At Ur Boy' song, which introduced him to the consciousness of manypeople. Soon after, he became a household name and started headlining big shows in and outside the country. For Iyanya, just when many thought he would become a household name in Nigeria after he won the maiden edition of the MTN sponsored music talent show, the Calabar-born singer struggled for few years until luck smiled at him and he burst into fame with his hit track 'Kukere'. Speaking recently on a TV show, the singer disclosed that Wizkid inspired him in the music industry. He explained that when he thought of giving up because of the cold reception for his RnB single entitled 'True Love,' which he released after winning the competition, the success Wizkid's 'Holla At Ur Boy' made and the subsequent singles released by the 23-year-old made him to say to himself that if Wizkid could do it, he could, which gave rise to his'Kukere' hit track.

Exclusive-Kcee.... Finally reveals the meaning of "LIMPOPO"

Kcee to Drop Hot New Single with Timaya So the rumors were right after all!Limpopo King, KCee will soon be dropping a stunning new single with his ‘partner on the streets’, The Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya. Kcee confirmed this with Timaya during an exclusive ‘meet and greet’ hosted by top Anambra OAP JJ at popular Blaze FM Nnewi The ‘meet and greet’ which was the highlight of the day for fans came hours before the highly anticipated Star Music Trek concert which held at Beverly Hills Resort Nnewi and drew thousands of fans from Nnewi, Enugu, Awka, Owerri, Asaba and other surrounding cities. And, for his teeming fans who have spent pleasurable hours trying to decode the mystery of ‘Limpopo’, the stylish artiste finallyrevealed the meaning during the live chat, “Limpopo just means ‘Lets have fun’, he said. “It's a ‘feelgood song’ and I really appreciate how my fans have so quickly taken to it.” The artiste also used the opportunity to clear the air on various issues relating to his work and his growth in the music industry as well as commend the organizers of ‘The Trek’ for the popular platform. “It’s been an awesome time, connecting with fans and playing great music. I’m really excited andcan’t wait for the next leg of the show in Asaba.”

ASUP Excos meet today

By DAYO ADESULU & LAJU ARENYEKA with agency report LAGOS — THERE are strong indications that the strike by polytechnics lecturers, under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, may be called off today, as members of ASUP’s National Executive Council, NEC, hold an emergency meeting, to appraise the situation. The polytechnic lecturers have been on strike for the past 80 days. ASUP Chairman, Dr. Chibuzor Asumogba, while speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, said “there has been a green light on the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15. “We have strong reason to believe that CONTISS 15 will soon be implemented. But it is at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting tomorrow (today) that we will determine whether or not to call off the strike.” The emergency ASUP NEC meeting, which holds at the Labour House in Abuja, is sequel to the intervention of the Joint House Committee on Education into the strike. The committee, the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Chief Emeka Wogu, had met with the union on July 9, urging them to call-off the strike. Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, earlier in Lagos, Asumogba said “the NEC is meeting to appraise the progress made so far, following the meetingheld with the committee on education. We have received a green light on the CONTISS 15 and we have promises here and there on other demands. The committee on education is proactive in addressing our demands. The committee is highly placed and with its members’ integrity, we have no doubt that our demands will be addressed.” It would be recalled that ASUP, among other reasons, went on strike citing the failure of the federal and state governments to implement agreements on issues affecting polytechnic education. ASUP wants a full implementation of CONTISS 15 and a stop to discrimination against holders of the Higher National Diploma. The union is also protesting the absence of a National Polytechnics Commission and the deplorable condition of many polytechnics in Nigeria.

Strike:Senate,FG,ASUU Fail to reach compromise

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke ABUJA7 The negotiations among the Senate, the Federal governmentand the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU over the ongoing industrial action embarked by universities lecturers ended without parties reaching any compromise. The meeting which was at the instance of the chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP Abia North, was called to pacify the striking lecturers with a bid to finding a common ground. However, a source at the meeting revealed that all efforts to push for a call off of the strike proved abortive as members of ASUU stood their grounds. The source also said that for well over seven hours, Chukwumerije was literarily on his knees pleading with the lecturers to consider the plights of the students and call off the strike, but ASUU members refused to shift ground. The meeting had in attendance, Secretary to the Government of theFederation, SGF, Senator Anyim PiusAnyim, Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayyatu Rufai; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie and members of the Senate Committee on Education,among others.

I made second class upper-Soyinka

....calls for removal of barriers to children’s education Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinkahas called on the Federal and StateGovernments to eliminate all barriers to children’s education. He made the call in Aboekuta on Sunday when he hosted secondary school students across the country as part of this year’s Open Door Series Project, an international cultural exchange programme. He also used the occasion to dispel the insinuation that he graduated with third-class division, explaining that he graduated from the University College, Ibadan with a Second Class Upper. The programme was organised aspart of activities to mark his 79th birthday. Soyinka appealed to the students, particularly, those studying in the violence-prone areas of the north,not to be discouraged by the activities of Boko Haram sect. He urged them to draw inspiration from the 16-year-old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head on October 9, 2012 by Taliban fighters over her campaign for girl-child education in Pakistan. Soyinka, who fielded questions from 79 student participants, charged them to cultivate zero tolerance for failure and strive to excel in all their endeavours. “It might look very negative and hopeless, but we must not allow ourselves to be discouraged. “The fact that people are still going to schools in those violence-prone areas shows that we should not be discouraged. “You are not a complete human being if you are not educated, schooled or cultured. “No matter what goes on around you, you must insist on your education.’’ The Nobel Laureate also used the occasion to dispel the insinuation that he graduated with third-classdivision. Soyinka said that he graduated from the University College, Ibadan with a Second Class Upper. He explained that although he hadkept silent on the issue over the years, he decided to open up for the first time over the rumour as amark of respect for the participants. Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, described Soyinka as a world citizen and encouraged the participants in the essay competition to emulate his life and be more studious. Amosun commended the organisers and re-stated the commitment of his administrationto celebrate prominent Nigerians whose lives have remained sources of inspiration to younger generation. The event, tagged: “Memoirs of our future”, was organised by a Lagos based multimedia company,Zmirage, in conjunction with the Ogun State Government. (NAN)

Jos kidnapping: STF rescues 8 hostages, arrest 3 suspect

The Special Task Force (STF) Anti-kidnapping Squad in Jos on Saturday arrested three members of kidnapping gang and rescued eight victims. The squad arrested the gang leader and the owner of Chiwarna Hotel in Jos North where the victims were held hostage. Capt. Salisu Mustpaha, STF media spokesman, said in a statement that the arrest was made possible through intelligence report received by the task force . “Following an intelligence report to our anti-kidnapping squad, a raid was carried out on the hotel located at Zinaria Layout and eightvictims were rescued. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were kidnapped at various locations and locked up in one of the hotel rooms in order to collect ransom from their relations. “ The spokesman said that the kidnappers did contact family members of the victims and requested them to pay various sums of money as ransom for their release before luck ran out of them. He said the kingpin and the hotel owner were undergoing interrogation, adding that investigation was on to track down the other members of the gang. He stressed the importance of timely release of information to security agencies by the public. The STF commander, Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, urged the Muslim community to use the period of Ramadan to pray for lasting and sustainable peace in the country. “On behalf of the officers and servicemen of theSTF, I wish you a peaceful, fruitful and spirit-filled Ramadan,’’ Ayoola said in the statement. (NAN)

Boko Haram-No cease Fire!

The leader of Islamist group, Boko Haram, has denied entering into a cease-fire agreement with the Federal Government and endorsed an attack last weekend on a school in Yobe State. The sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a video message sent to reporters, yesterday, denied the claim by the Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, that a cease-fire was reached on July 8 after talks with the group’s deputy leader, Mohammed Marwan. “Let me assure you that we will not enter into any truce with these infidels,” Shekau said. “We will not enter into any truce with the Nigerian government.” Tanimu Turaki Boko Haram, whose name means “western education is a sin” in Hausa language, has killed thousands of people in gun and bomb attacks since 2009 in Muslim north and Abuja in its campaign to establish an Islamic state in the country. Nigeria The purported cease-fire took effect two days after 20 students and a teacher were killed in an attack on a secondary school in Yobe. Eli Lazarus, a spokesman for the joint military and police task force in Yobe, said the attack was probably carried out by Boko Haram. “We believe in the massacre inflicted on the secondary school in Mamudo and Damaturu and other schools; we earlier warned that we were going to burn all schools,” Shekau said. “They are schools purposely built to fight Islam.” While Boko Haram doesn’t attack “children andyoung girls or old women,” he said, “teachers that teach Western education, we are supposedto kill them in the presence of their students.”

Twins’ Breast Feeding Row: Man killswife 24 hours ahead of naming ceremony

Edo State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of a young man, identified as Endurance Enadeba, who allegedly killed hiswife, Osarumwense, over alleged failure to breast feed their one week old twins. The husband and wife were said to be preparing for the naming ceremony of their twins which should have held yesterday. It was learnt that the incident occurred after anargument ensued on how to breast feed the twins by their mother. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the sad incident happened on Friday nightafter Endurance was alleged to have hit his wife on the head with an object which killed her. An eye witness said the husband asked the wifeto breastfeed the babies who were crying but the woman said she wanted to urinate first. Thehusband was said to have gone to where the wife was to urinate and a face-off ensued whichled to the man hitting the wife on the head. The father of the deceased, who gave his name as Eghenayayore, was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse. He said his daughter called to inform him about the incident but that she died before they rushed her to hospital, adding that the suspect fled when the wife collapsed. “He killed my daughter because of a row over the breastfeeding of the twins. The twins are at home now, who will give them breast milk? Why did he kill my young daughter? This girl was born in 1996. We were preparing to name the babies tomorrow because they were their first issue.” Edo State Police spokesman, DSP Moses Eguavoen, confirmed the incident. He said the husband had been arrested from where he was hiding. Culled from vanguard

Victory at last-Al mustapha lawyer

By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & DAUD OLATUNJI In a terse statement by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,Mr Ade Ipaye, said:” For now, we cannot make comments about the judgement. Copies of the judgement are yet to be issued by court. I needto study it before making my comments.” The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, spoke in the same vein ontelephone withSaturday Vanguard. Head of Abiola family, Alhaji Mubashiru Abiola yesterday expressed shock over the judgementof the Court of Appeal, Lagos which dischargedand acquitted Major Hamza Al- Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head ofState, Sani Abacha, for conspiracy and murder of Kudirat Abiola. Bashiru who spoke in Abeokuta, said that the family was hearing the news for the first time. He however, emphasized that the family wouldnot make any statement over the matter for now until a meeting of the family over the Appeal Court judgment which had not been fixed. Kudirat’s first daughter, Hafsat Abiola-Constello also commenting on the judgement of the Appeal Court, said, the family would sooncome up with a press release on the issue. But for Mr Olalekan Ojo, Al-Mustapha’s Counsel. “It was a victory against injustice. “The Justices of the Court of Appeal in Lagos have brought sanity to the criminal justice system of Nigeria. They were unanimous in condemning the attitude of the learned trial judge in the handling of the case. Al- Mustapha s’ Lawyers Oluwalekan Ojo and Yinka Ojo at the Court of Appeal Lagos Photo By Diran Oshe “Again, they said that the learned trial judge shut her eyes to the facts and evidences placedbefore the court and chose to rely on sentiments and politics of the South-West and that criminal conviction cannot be secured based on such evidences. ”I am happy that at last, justice has been done, but I am sad because of two things. For 14 years, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha was held in custody for a case that was doomed from thebeginning. The case that was not properly investigated. A case where the evidences of prosecution witnesses were contradictory. The appellate court said, it was fool-hardy for the learned trial judge to have said there were no contradictions in the evidences by the prosecution witnesses. Al- Mustapha’s mother died because of conviction: ”However, it is sad that Al-Mustapha’s mother died because of his conviction. From the day her son was condemned, she went into coma and never came out of it as she died less than two months. ”Now, that is an irreparable loss to the family because of the perverse judgment of the trial court. I use this opportunity to call on those charged with the administration of criminal justice to eschew gossip, religious bigotry among others in the adjudication of any criminal case brought before them.” Ladi Rotimi-Williams, SAN. “I don’t know how they arrived at their conclusion. The law is an ass, I must say. It is surprising, very surp-rising and shocking. And I believe the state will appeal that judgement. Honestly, it is surprising and shocking how theyarrived at the conclusion that he is not guilty. Because the facts are there. “Sometimes, I don’t understand what is going on with all my long years in the inner bar. I am not suggesting any impropriety or that there is some foul play but it is shocking unless the state prosecutor hopelessly messed up the case; otherwise, I will say it is shocking.” Mr. Yinka Odumakin, a chieftain of Save NigeriaGroup, SNG. “The judgement is a direct license to murderersto shed innocent blood knowing that they will escape the long arm of the law. The killers of Kudirat Abiola will know no peace because her spirit will continue to torment them for the rest of their lives.” Mr Richard Akinnola, Rights activist: ”Al-Mustapha’s acquittal, despite all the plethora of evidence against him, to me is morepolitical than judicial. With due respect to the Appeal Court justices, it was a perverse verdict which the Lagos State Government should appeal.”