Kano — A protest by youths from across the 36 states demanding the "unconditional release" of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha yesterday grinded Kano to a standstill, with hundreds of protesters calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the case of Al-Mustapha and end his continued detention.

Al-Mustapha who was chief security officer (CSO) to former head of state, late General Sani Abacha has been in detention since 1998. He, along with three others are being held for alleged murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and attempted murder of The Guardian publisher, Chief Alex Ibru.

The protesters who carried placards with inscriptions like: "Goodluck, please free Al-Mustapha", "Free Al-Mustapha", "12 years is too long, enough of this persecution."

They marched from the emir's palace to government house, where they met with the state's acting governor, Engineer Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo and ended the protest at Freedom Radio in the municipality.

Meanwhile, the Kano Emirate Council has added its voice to series of calls for the release of Major Al-Mustapha. The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero called on President Jonathan to effect the immediate release of Al-Mustapha, saying his continuous detention violates human rights laws.

The respected monarch spoke through his senior councilor, the Wamban Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi when he received the protesting youths under the banner of Movement for the Emancipation of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha led by its national coordinator, Chief Igwe Martins.

In an audience with the Emir of Kano, Dr Ado Bayero, Martins urged well meaning Nigerians to explore all means of reaching out to relevant authorities aimed at ensuring the immediate release of Al-Mustapha.

Chief Martins wondered why Al-Mustapha who has offered selfless service to Nigeria is put behind bars for 12 years without any justifiable reason.

He noted "The continuous detention of our son, Al-Mustapha has caused disharmony among northern elements . Today, it has become absolutely imperative for every patriotic northerner to sit down and sincerely answer the question: what wrong have we done to the Nigerian government?

"What is the similarity between Al-Mustapha's case of attempted murder and that of the OPC's Ganiyu Adam and Frederick Fasheun for the murder of seven policemen between 2002 and 2003

"The northern youths have not forgotten the established cases of treason against the likes if Asari Dokubo in 2006; Henry Okah in 2008; Uwazurike in 2007/08 etc. Today, all these people are freely enjoying their freedom with their families and friends resulting from the general amnesty granted by the government of Nigeria .

Stating that the continuous detention of Al-Mustapha is politically premeditated, the protesters asserted: "Why should our son be treated like this? 12 years in detention without conviction, what kind of legal system are we operating?"

Sanusi who stood in for the emir of Kano acknowledged that the issue of the continuous detention of Al-Mustapha deserves the sympathy of any well meaning persons in the polity.

He assured that the Emirate council would first explore the underpinning reason why the Al-Mustapha case has dragged this long before arriving at a decision to finally wade into the matter.

"The emirate council is keen on ensuring justice and fairness in this matter. We would always do everything to protect the lives and properties of our citizens. It is godly to love your neighbour as you would love yourself. We plead for more time so that we can know why this case is taking too long to decide. That is the only way we can see how we can assist you."