Ex-COASO Al-Mustapha Challenges Proof Linking Abacha to Personal Loot

Retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State General Sani Abacha, has strongly denied allegations that recovered government funds were the late general’s personal loot.

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Democracy Day, Al-Mustapha explained that the funds were part of an economic empowerment program designed to support indigenous entrepreneurs and provide affordable goods and services, akin to Libya’s approach during sanctions.

He challenged critics to produce any document signed by Abacha that linked the funds to his personal bank accounts, asserting firmly, “The money was not deposited in Abacha’s name.”

Al-Mustapha alleged that after Abacha’s death, some beneficiaries either misappropriated or withheld the funds, which have since been wrongly labeled as ‘Abacha loot.’

He also addressed the mysterious circumstances surrounding Abacha’s death, drawing parallels with the suspicious demise of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of Nigeria’s June 12, 1993 presidential election, citing unusual swelling of the heart and chest in both cases as evidence of foul play.

Reaffirming his political ambitions, Al-Mustapha declared his intention to run for president in 2027, emphasizing that his campaign is “serious and unwavering.”