Al-Mustapha’s detention negates rule of law – Tsav

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Kano, Tsav noted that Al-Mustapha and others have been in prison for over 10 years without proper trial, saying that they should be released if President Umaru Yar’adua’s rule of law mantra is anything to go by.

“I think the case of Major Al-Mustapha, James Danbaba and others is very pathetic because these people have been in prison since 1998. They were arrested and detained for attempted murder.

We all know that certain cases of attempted murder were bailed but these people have been in custody for a very long time but nobody is saying anything to grant them bail,” he said.

Citing examples of similar cases of alleged murder, Alhaji Tsav said the killing of a DPO at Bariga, Lagos and the assassination of Chief Bola Ige where all the accused were released on bail.

He said if the Yar’adua administration is honest with its rule of law policy, a speedy trial should be ordered in the case.

Tsav said that he thought President Yar’adua will come and review the wrongful incarceration and speed up the trial for them to be convicted or released, but rather, the detention continues ‘despite the gospel of rule of law.’