Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al- Mustapha, yesterday, stated that his proposed threevolume book and memoir will contain revelations on how Abacha and the late acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, died.
Al-Mustapha, who spoke to journalists in Lagos, said the book also documents the roles some prominent Nigerians played before, during and after the election’s annulment.
The book, according to him, will be released immediately after his case at the Supreme Court case is dispensed with. Al-Mustapha said that his arrest on October 21, 1999 at Enugu and incarceration in different prisons in Nigeria over allegations of being in possession of Abacha loot, gun running between Libya and Enugu, alleged security breach and subsequent allegation of masterminding the killing of Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, was as a result of the toes the Abacha regime stepped on and his commitment to protecting the late Head of State.
He also debunked the allegation that he set up a killer squad for Abacha, saying that the squad he set up then was an elite force which comprised of some of the best hands from various security agencies.
He added that the conspiracy that led him to prison was orchestrated by those who felt slighted by his decision not to join them in tarnishing the image of late Head of State.
Also, he absolved his principal of corruption, describing alleged loot linked to him as savings for the country. Al-Mustapha said it was only those who wanted to get back at Abacha that accused him of looting the treasury because he stepped on toes while in power in his quest to steer the ship of state successfully.
Al-Mustapha also disclosed that Abacha left $9.732 billion in government coffers before his death and therefore urged Nigerians to ask questions about how the money was mismanaged rather than focusing on $500 million Abacha was alleged to have looted.
His words: “During Abacha’s four years and seven-month regime, he had numerous attacks. Apart from the few that were mentioned, there was collaboration between some notable Nigerians and international powers to move him out of office.
“General Abacha is dead, but those he stepped upon decided to revenge by smearing his name and till date, they have not yet forgiven General Abacha even at death. “Sometimes, there were some threats upon Nigeria and the sustainability of the government then to my knowledge was a key thing.
So, there was a decision at one point in time, where some stakeholders of Nigeria; traditional rulers, politicians, businessmen from North and South, were invited to converge in Abuja, when Chief Tom Ikimi was For eign minister.
“When sanctions were threatened on Nigeria, at the request of some notable Nigerians, some modalities were taken to allow some money go to some accounts abroad, so that if the sanction comes, that money would be able to keep Nigeria afloat. That time oil was $7 or $8 per barrel. No money was taken to run Nigeria, but policies were taken to run Nigeria, including PTF so that Nigeria could grow.
“When Abacha was in government, loans were not taken even when oil was being sold for $7 per barrel and yet, he was able to have left $9.732 billion out of nothing and within 11 months, the money disappeared. Nigerians should ask Chief Olusegun Obasanjo how much he met in government coffers when he came to power in 1999. Nigerians should ask more questions rather than asking about the $500 million that is called Abacha’s loot.”
Speaking on the present administration, the former CSO said President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the progress of Nigeria and the well being of Nigerians. “Buhari is a man who has a well-established character.
He is an upright person. He was dragged into politics and he is transparent, sincere, committed and cares for the country. His love for Nigeria and Nigerians cannot be questioned by anybody; even if his enemies are sincere to God, they will say the truth that he really cares about the people,” he said.
