by Basit Jamiu
The followers of Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara under the name Ashabul Khafi Warraqeem have indicated that they will appeal the death sentence of their principal.
The organization made this statement on Monday in Bauchi State. The entire statement was read out by the public relations officer, Abdullahi Musa.
The organization stated that the judgment was biased and politically charged to deliver a tragic end to an innocent man.
Musa also stated that the judgment was made because the cleric was a staunch critic of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Kano State Governor.
“We are not satisfied with the judgment because we believe it was influenced by the Kano State Governor Ganduje and some clerics in the state who are known to be at loggerheads with him (Abduljabbar Kabara) for a long time. They labelled false allegations of blasphemy against him in order to smear him and eliminate him through the court,” the statement read in part.
“The allegation of blasphemy against the Sheikh is nothing but campaign of calumny and character assassination on the popular cleric by his detractors including Ganduje and some clerics who feel threatened by Abduljabbar’s increasing popularity. Thus, they purported an allegation of blasphemy to give him a bad name and have justification for their evil plan to exterminate his life.”
He added, “We have resolved to appeal against the judgment in a higher court of law to quash this unsatisfactory judgment and impose his fundamental human rights especially of freedom of religion and thought as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
“We call on the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, National and International Human rights Organizations and Human Rights Lawyers like the revered Human Rights Lawyer Mr. Femi Falana, respected Human Rights activist Ahmad Isa – Ordinary President, and others to join us counter this unfair and unjustified gang-up against our religious leader by providing legal aid to the Sheikh Abduljabbar.”
“We don’t have the strength to protect him in the court alone, hence our call for legal aid from human rights individuals and organizations to bring us succor.
“We notice that some of the sects who now ganged up to eliminate Abduljabbar were the ones who committed series of blasphemies in their preaching but nothing was done to them and they continue to practice their religion without hindrance.
“These blasphemers include Qaribu Kabara, Abdulrazak Yahya Haifan, Abbas Jega, Jalo Jalingo, Ahmad Gumi, Abdulwahab Abdullah and Sani Rijiyar Lemo, but because they are close to people in power, they went scot-free while our spiritual leader who is innocent is now facing persecution,” Musa said.
The cleric has been found guilty of blasphemy and is presently awaiting his death penalty.
Recommended posts:
I Will Die Honorably – One Year After, Kano Islamic Cleric Detained for Blasphemy to Die by Hanging
HANIFA : Gov Ganduje Vows To Assent To Death Sentence When Passed By Court
Oromoni, Hanifa, Zuwaira: School children as endangered species
Traders highlight qualities they want in Nigeria’s next President
