Murtala Muhammed’s family expects passage of Victims’ Rights Bill 

After 31 years, the family of late Head of State, Murtala Mohammed, is still hopeful that the Victims’ Rights Bill will be passed.  The family commenced efforts to secure the approval of the bill 31 years ago following the fatal shooting of Zakari Murtala Muhammed, a member of the family.
   
The strong hope for the bill on the 31st anniversary of the death of Zakari has been described as significant progress in the fight for victims’ rights in the country.  Zakari was shot on August 13, 1993 and he died the next day, August 14. 
  
Concerned family members lamented that despite the identification of suspected perpetrators, the case had been stalled by failures in prosecution. In a statement to commemorate the anniversary of the death, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, disclosed that the National Assembly was poised to discuss the Victims’ Rights Bill, a milestone eagerly anticipated by the Foundation.
   
“We will not relent until this bill is passed. All victims of crimes are entitled to answers,” Mohammed Oyebode declared, as she voiced her unwavering commitment to ensuring the bill’s passage.

She cited numerous unresolved high-profile murders, including those of Dele Giwa, Chief Rewane, and Chief Bola Ige, highlighting the systemic failures in delivering justice, declaring: “We refuse to quietly continue to bury our dead. There is an urgent need for legislative action and robust victim protection laws.”