IBRU: AL-MUSTAPHA, OTHERS MAKE 'NO CASE' SUBMISSION

A former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. Hamza Al- Mustapha, and three others standing trial for alleged involvement in the attempted murder of The Guardian publisher, Mr. Alex Ibru, on Wednesday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that they had no case to answer.

Others standing trial with the former CSO are a former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, James Danbaba; a former military administrator of Zamfara State, Lt.-Col. Jibrin Yakubu; and former head of the Aso Rock Anti-Riot Police, Mr. Rabo Lawal.

When the hearing of the substitutive suit came up on Wednesday, the prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Gbadebo Oshoala, told the court that the prosecution was ready to close its case, following its inability to bring other witnesses to court.

Justice Mufutau Olokooba had, at the last adjourned date, advised the prosecution to bring its 10th witness or close its case. he also warned that he would not entertain further delay of the matter.

But Oshoala informed the court that his witness, a military officer, was not in court. Justice Olokooba consequently closed the prosecution's case and invited the defendants to open their defence

But the lawyers to the defendants unanimously adopted a 'no case' submission.

Justice Olokoba thereafter directed the defence team to file their written addresses in support of the no case submission within 21 days. He also directed the prosecution to file its written address within 21 days after the receipt of the last brief from the defence team and adjourned the case till November 11 for adoption of written addresses.