The Emir of Gwandu, and
chairman, Kebbi State
Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo yesterday made passionate appeal to the federal government to release Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha detained since 1998 along with three others.
Major Al-Mustapha, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, former Chief of Army Staff, Police Commissioner Lawal Rabo and former Military Administrator, Col. Bala Yakubu were arrested and detained over alleged attempt to assassinate Guardian publisher Chief Alex Ibru. Al-Mustapha and two other persons are also facing charges of alleged security breach against President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Alhaji Haruna Jokolo who made the appeal while receiving some traditional titled holders at his palace in Birnin Kebbi, said the suspects were unduly detained by the federal government.
He said the continued detention of the suspects without any sign of seriousness in their trial was long overdue, and urged President Obasanjo to release them accordingly.
The emir noted that the contributions of General Bamaiyi to his domain and the nation in general warrant his release from detention.
The emir also spoke on the appointment of President Obasanjo as the chairman of the National Mosque rehabilitation committee, saying the action became imperative in view of the fact that the national mosque was in a very sorry state.
According to him, several letters were sent to Muslim brothers for donations in order to salvage the mosque from collapse, but no avail.
He disclosed that the mosque has been disconnected from telephone services and water supply due to the huge debt owed the authorities.
The emir said, staff salaries were also not paid saying that about N20 million was needed to settle outstanding debts, hence the decision by the JNI to write to Muslim individuals, soliciting for assistance, but only N4 million was realised.
However, he said a meeting was convened to come out with solution to the dilapidated state of the mosque and it was resolved that the president be contacted through the vice president.
“The president was obliged to be part of the crusade and he assured that he will constitute a committee that will raise all the monies needed for the mosque, similarly, Mr President said he wanted to visit the mosque and see the deplorable condition,” he explained.
He added that the president visited the mosque on a Friday morning and pledged to donate a take off grant of N120 million and will launch an appeal fund to raise N3.5 billion for the establishment of a National Institution for Islamic Studies.
Alhaji Al-Mustapha Jokolo, argued that there was nothing bad for a Christian leader to assist Muslims, sa-ying the president is a leader to all Nigerians irrespective of religious or tribal differences.
He then enjoined Muslims to shun rumour mongering and accusations on their fellow Muslims, “that is why we are left behind, Muslims have a pact with God and some are no longer God fearing,” he declared. |
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