The groundswell of comments trailing the discharge and acquittal of Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan does not seem to be letting up, as Director of Social Communications, Catholic Arch diocese of Lagos, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, has described the verdict as ‘an act of God.
According to the Cleric, God has, through the court verdict, given both men another opportunity to rededicate their lives to the service of their creator and fellow men.
“I am not a lawyer, but I presume the judges must have good reasons for setting the men free. But if you've followed the court proceedings over the past 15 years, you will surely know that God’s favour was at work. Most people gave up on the two men; they were seen as the living dead because their case was already decided by man. My advice to the two men is to go and sin no more. They should see their acquittal as an opportunity to move closer to God more than ever before."
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Al-Mustapha[/caption]Taking a swipe at last year’s High Court ruling which had sentenced the duo to death for complicity in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola; Msgr Osu expressed delight that the court’s judgment was not enforced accordingly. “We have always been against capital punishment in any form. I thank God that the two men are still alive. I am not taking sides, neither am I justifying whatever they might have done in the past. All I am saying is that, like the Catholic Church has always advocated, capital punishment is not the best way out of criminality. We believe in giving men another chance to atone for their past deeds, just as God is always calling us all to reconcile with him. If He should judge us according to our deeds, no one would be justified,” he said.
God has forgiven him- Bishop Olawuyi, Diocese of Lagos, Methodist church
The judgement should be considered an act of God because nothing can happen except God allows it to; nothing can take place except God wants it to take place. Perhaps the man involved has prayed for forgiveness and God has forgiven him. Who is man to judge when God has forgiven him?
They were not destined to die that way -Imam, Yusuf Abdul Bari Afini, Chairman, Council of Imams
Allah has everyone’s calendar in his hands; there is time for everyone to die no matter the circumstance, and if someone is not killed when he ought to have been killed, then that is the will of Allah. The Judge of a case doesn’t have the final say in deciding a man’s fate to live or to die; even when the case is decided to the man’s detriment.
The terminal period of everyone in this world has been written by Allah. So if it is the will of Allah for someone to die in an automobile accident, then he will die in it. Allah has planned it in such a way that nobody dies before his time. The case of Al- Mustapha’s discharge and acquittal must have been the handiwork of God. I am saying this because if he was predestined to die that way, then no judge, president or lawyer can change it. Perhaps he was destined to go through that process of stress, trials and near-death experience but he wasn’t destined to die that way.
Nobody has yet been convicted of political murder in Nigera — Prof Sagay
Meanwhile, some are of the opinion that Al-Mustapha should not have been acquitted by the upper court.
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Itse Sagay[/caption]Prof. Itsejuwa Sagay (SAN) is of the opinion that impunity has been normal for political killings in the country.
“It has become a culture in this country whereby political murderers get away untouched. We have lots and it is a very sad story for this country,” he commented.
He believes the problem with political killers getting away is, however, not a constitutional issue.
“The problem is the will to prosecute and also the will of the witness to be honest and agree to tell the truth,” he said, adding that an appeal can still be made if the Lagos State government is dissatisfied with the judgment. “The Lagos State government is entitled to appeal as far as the judgment is not satisfactory to her after reviewing it. As far as I am concerned, nobody has been convicted of political murder in this country and those in power are comfortable with it, “Sagay quipped.
A sensitive judgment— Agbakoba
However, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) said it would be unfair to comment on the issue since he is yet to read the judgment.
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*Agbakoba[/caption]“The only way I can make a meaningful contribution is to study the judgment thoroughly because I have read the decision of the High Court and I would also like to read the decision of the Court of Appeal. I understand the political sentiments surrounding it, but I want to be careful in making comments on sensitive judgements as this,” he stated.
No Comment - Keyamo
Human rights activist and political commentator, Festus Keyamo, when contacted on phone by Saturday Vanguard, also declined comment. He however said his opinion would be made known in due time. “I have no comment for now but I will address the press in due time,” he said.
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