Group Faults Obasanjo On Abacha

A group, Action for the Democratic Removal of Inept Elected Office Holders, has faulted President Olusegun Obasanjo's role in the bail granted to Mohammed Abacha, eldest son of the late Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abacha.

Mohammed who has been in detention over his alledged involvement in the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of late presumed winner of annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola, was granted bail last week and consequently released.

However, in a statement made available to THISDAY the group's National Coordi-nator, Chris A. Obelikpeyah, faulted President Obasanjo's role in the release, saying that the rule of law, which is the hallmark of established democracies all over the world, was neglected in the action.

"The report of most television stations on , September 24, 2002, that, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had ordered the release of Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Abacha after obtaining written undertaking from prominent sons of Kano State, including the Executive Governor of the State, smacks of executive lawlessness.

"The procedure for the release of suspects, who are awaiting trial, is clearly provided for in the Criminal Procedure Code", the statement said, adding that "it was the prerogative of the Magistrate or Judge sitting over a case to exercise his/her discretion, judicially and judiciously, in granting bail to a suspect who applies for bail"

Noting that the procedure does not allow the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to sit-in-session with prominent citizens of any state at the Aso Rock Villa for the purpose of negotiating the release of their son from custody, the group said, the president should be told that "the office he now occupies is a creation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 with specific constitutional duties, which do not include negotiation for the release of suspects who are awaiting trial".

Accordingly, the group noted that Mr. President has shown his ineptitude in the administration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, calling on the youths to move against the president's second term bid.

Mohammed Abacha granted bail

Group Faults Obasanjo On Abacha's Freedom