Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the well-known Chief Security Officer to former head of state, the late General Sani Abacha, was compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Army, it has been revealed.

Al-Mustapha’s compulsory retirement is said to have been predicated upon his unavailability in the Army for a period of over 14 years, during which time he was facing trial over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, a wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

A copy of the retirement letter sent to Al-Mustapha from the Army Headquarters was sighted on Wednesday, dated July 14, 2014 and it put the period the former CSO was in the army at 33 years and 11 days.

Al-Mustapha was sentenced to death for Kudirat’s murder by a Lagos High Court in Igbosere on January 30, 2012, but was later discharged and acquitted on July 12, 2013 by a superior judgment of the Court of Appeal in Lagos.

The letter of compulsory retirement indicated that the Army Council took the decision to force him out of service at its meeting held on August 5, 2013 even though the Court of Appeal had acquitted him.

It further indicated that the decision of the Army Council to retire him was based on the provisions of Paragraph 09.02(c)(5) of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Nigerian Armed Forces 2012 (Revised).

The reason for his compulsory retirement was cited as “undeployability arising from restructuring and/or lack of establishment,” is the fifth in the list of nine conditions as stated in the law which the Army Council can based such a decision on.

The letter with reference number, AHQ MS/G1/300/226, however commended him for demonstrating “good conduct in the discharge of your duties” throughout his service in the army.

The letter partly read, “You are authorised to retain your substantive rank of Major. You are also entitled to gratuity and pension as well as Certificate of Military Service and Retired Officers’ Identity Card.

“You are entitled to your ceremonial dress, service dress and mess kit. However, you should wear uniforms corresponding to your rank at the time of retirement only when you are invited for military ceremonies; military weddings; memorial services of National Day celebration and Regimental dinners.”