Adesanya: Judge sentences Abacha’s aide, Shofolahan to 59 years

JUSTICE Olushola Williams of a Lagos High Court, on Wednesday, sentenced a member of a Strike Force of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Aminu Mohammed, to 28 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of the late Senator Abraham Adesanya.

In her judgment that lasted almost three and a half hours, Justice Williams also sentenced Lateef Shofolahan, a former aide to the late Mrs Kudirat Abiola to 31 years with hard labour for his involvement in the plot to kill the late leader of Afenifere.

The judge further berated Mohammed, an Army corporal, for engaging in condemnable act, saying that, “Though he was part and parcel of a team that was maintained at the expense of tax payers, the excuse that he was under instruction is not enough to endanger the lives of the people.

“The first defendant must take responsibility for his act.”

Justice Williams also castigated Shofolahan for being garrulous, adding that it was regrettable that his conduct as an informant led to the covert act of shooting the late Adesanya

She said, “He denies simple truth. He said he did not know the location of National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, but he claimed to live in Ojuelegba for years. Under cross-examination, he reversed himself to say he knew the place.

“His defence does not hold water. He allowed greed and avarice to erode his conscience. He is like Judas Iscariot and abused the trust placed in him.”

But the judge directed that the defendants’ prison terms should run concurrently and must commence from October 7, 1999.

The Lagos State Government had brought Mohammed and Shofolahan to court on a two -count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Adesanya at Sura Market, Lagos Island on January 14, 1997.

The judge further held that three issues were fundamental to the 10-year -old suit and resolved issues one and three in favour of the state while issue two was resolved in favour of both parties.

Regarding the issue of credibility of Barnabas Jabila (a.k.a Sgt Rogers) testimony, the court held that the fact that Justice Joseph Oyewole found his (Rogers) testimony not credible in the case of the State v Ishaya Bamaiyi did not mean that his testimony in the present case was not credible.

She said “I must say right away that because a witness is not found credible in one matter does not affect his credibility in another. The judgment of Justice Joseph Oyewole is not binding on this court.

“I watched PWI (Rogers) in the box and he appeared sober and his testimony in court remains unshaken. He does not appear to me as a habitual liar. If indeed he was a drunk as alleged by the defence, he appeared to have had a change of heart. The fact that PWI used to drink alcohol does not make him an incredible witness.”

The judge further upheld the argument of the lawyer to the Lagos State Government, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) and held that the testimony of Rogers was credible.

She said, “I find his testimony to be true and credible. It can be useful for conviction.”

The judge further held that the evidence of Rogers was corroborated by the overt act of the team to eliminate the late Adesanya.

She said, “I hereby convict the first and second defendant accordingly.”

Lawyer to Mohammed, Mr James Ocholi (SAN) had during allocutus (plea for leniency) urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Shofolahan’s lawyer, Mr. Lekan Ojo, also urged the court to be lenient with his client.

In his comment, Pedro urged the court to do justice in the matter.

In her sentence, the judge said, “I hereby sentence the first defendant to 10 years on the first count (conspiracy) and 18 years on the second count (attempted murder).

“I also sentence the second defendant to 14 years for the first count and 17 years on the second count with hard labour.

“The prison terms are to run concurrently and take effect from October 7, 1999.”