ZAMBOANGA CITY—The family of the late Liberal Party Rep. Wahab Akbar of Basilan is asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to restudy and reconsider its decision clearing some of the accused in the killing of the lawmaker in 2007.

Tahira Ismael, former mayor of Lantawan town and niece of Akbar, said on Sunday they were saddened by the sudden exoneration of former Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman of Anak Mindanao.

Ismael noted that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced on Wednesday last week that there was an existing criminal complaint filed against Hataman at the DOJ and on the next day the justice department cleared the former congressman.

“Ang bilis naman. Ilang oras lang ang nakalipas after she announced about the pending complaint kinabukasan cleared na,” Ismael added.

Aside from the former party-list congressman, cleared of criminal liability in connection with the November 13, 2007, bombing at the Batasan Complex were Hadjiman Hataman-Saliman and Julham Kunam for insufficiency of evidence.

In its February 22, 2008, resolution, the DOJ found probable cause to indict for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain and Ikram Indama.

Also indicted for the same charges are former Lakas Rep. Abdulgani “Gerry” Salapuddin of Basilan, Police Officer 1 Bayan Judda, Jaharun Jamiri and Benjamin Hataman.

Six people, including Akbar, were killed when a powerful bomb exploded at the south wing of the Batasan Complex in the evening of November 13, 2007.

Salapuddin was accused of masterminding the killing of Akbar.

Ismael said she hopes that the DOJ will re-study the resolution so that justice could be given to the death of Akbar.