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30 years after son’s death, Murtala Muhammed family seeks victims’ rights legislation

In remembrance of their son and brother, Zackari Muhammed, the family of the late former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, has expressed profound displeasure with the prosecution of murder trials in Nigeria, calling for enactment by the National Assembly of a legislation that protects the rights of victims, and which reflects the spirit of the country as a nation.

It would be recalled that the 27-year-old Zackari Muhammed, a finance graduate of the University of Canterbury in Kent, met a tragic end in Abuja on August 13, 1993 as he was fatally shot.

Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode made the family’s position known at the 30th anniversary of Zakari’s untimely death, held in Lagos at the weekend, noting sadly that the life of their cherished brother was cut short precisely three decades ago, while all efforts to prosecute the case failed during the preliminary investigation and arraignment phase, even though the perpetrators were positively identified.

“Precisely three decades ago, the life of our cherished brother was cut short. Even though the perpetrators were positively identified, all efforts to prosecute the case failed during the preliminary investigation and arraignment phase,” she said.

Recalling the distressing circumstances surrounding Zackari’s tragic demise, Muhammed-Oyebode, in a signed statement on behalf of the family, copy of which was made available to newsmen, flayed the manner in which case was handled, stating that the entire procedure was shrouded in confusion, leading to “a glaring miscarriage of justice.”

“The entire procedure was shrouded in confusion, and the ultimate conclusion was a glaring miscarriage of justice,” she sadly said.

Muhammed-Oyebode, however, suggested that a Legislation that protects the rights of victims, and which reflects the spirit of Nigerian nation should be enacted for the citizenry, saying that this would put a stop to similar development in the future.

According to her, the establishment of such a legal framework will guarantee comprehensive protection for victims throughout the complex corridors of the criminal justice system, saying that the National Assembly should champion the passage of laws based on the principles of victims’ rights.

“To put a stop to similar development in the future, a Legislation that protects the rights of victims, a law that reflects the spirit of our nation should be enacted for Nigerians.

“The establishment of such a legal framework will guarantee comprehensive protection for victims throughout the complex corridors of the criminal justice system. As we observe this solemn anniversary, we beseech our federal legislators to champion the passage of laws based on the principles of victims’ rights,” Muhammed-Oyebode charged.

Speaking further, Muhammed-Oyebode emphasised that these legislative measures would unequivocally secure the rights of victims across the spectrum of criminal cases, just as she pointed out that globally, ‘victims’ rights are recognized as an essential component of human rights.”

“The United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Basic Principles of Justice for victims of crimes and abuse of power as early as 1985. The time has arrived for Nigeria to adopt a victim-centric legal paradigm,” she demanded.

Highlighting the repercussions of ignoring such legislation, she warned that “in the absence of this essential legal framework, unresolved crimes will continue to proliferate, fostering an environment conducive to unlawful killings and impunity.”

“In cases where lives are unjustly taken, such as in murder cases, the rights of not only the immediate victim but also the secondary victims must be strengthened by providing them with the legal means to pursue justice and ensuring a fair trial,” she asserted.

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