Jailed chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Bode George, last Sunday held secret meeting with former Chief Security Officer (CSO) of late Head of State, Sani Abacha, Hamza Al- Mustapha inside Kirikiri prison.

This is as lawyers from both sides are set to argue the appeal filed by George to challenge the jail sentence against him on November 9.

A prison source said the meeting which lasted for over one hour was called by Al-Mustapha to seek for mutual assistance from the embattled politician. Mustapha was said to have asked George to assist him with his Yoruba connection.

Our source who prayed for anonymity said Mustapha's decision to call the meeting followed the influx of heavy weight politicians who visited the prison as a mark of solidarity to the former leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South West zone, who was clamped into prison for not following due process in awarding contracts, when he was NPA chairman during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure.

George was said to have contacted a highly placed government official, (names withheld) in Abuja to find out what assistance he could render to his prison's friend.

According to the source, George assured his 'friend' that he would help Mustapha. "What we heard outside there is different from what I have observed since I came in. You are humble and ought not have spent days, much less years in this place. I will not hesitate to take the matter to the appropriate authorities," he said.

When Daily Champion contacted the Lagos State Prison spokesman, Mr Ope Familiku, to confirm whether the meeting was approved, he said: "We don't talk on individuals but issues affecting the entire prison."

Meanwhile, the number of people visiting George in prison has reduced as at yesterday.