Major Hamza Al-Mustapha yesterday hugged Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil, and withdrew the case he instituted against Khalil before an Upper Shariah Court sitting in Kaduna.
Al-Mustapha had on April 30, 2014, through his counsel, Barrister Sadau Garba, in a three-page application for issuance of criminal direct complaint summons, accused Khalil of defamation of character and circulating falsehood in both CD and DVD plates within and outside the country, preaching that Al-Mustapha had been assigned responsibility of training some 1,000 snipers to deal with opposition by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The court could not decide the case on 30th April, 2014 because the presiding judge, Malam Mustapha Umar was away attending a seminar, after which the case was adjoined to yesterday 22nd May, 2014.
When the case was mentioned yesterday, Al-Mustapha’s counsel, Barrister Sadau Garba, told the presiding judge that important personalities had waged in to the matter and after mutual understanding, Khalil had retracted his earlier sermon contained in DVD and CD plates.
He further told the court that the cleric had also addressed the press and rendered unreserved apology and outright retraction of the said sermon.
He said it was in the spirit of reconciliation that they had decided to settle out of court and hereby apply to withdraw the suite earlier instituted against the cleric.
The judge, Malam Mustapha Umar, after listening to Al-Mustapha’s counsel subsequently granted the request.
The cleric’s counsel, Barrister Aminu Datti, confirmed their mutual agreement and both parties left the court room with smiles.
Our reporter gathered that both parties after leaving the court proceeded to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s residence and thanked him for ensuring successful settlement out of court.