The Court of Appeal in Kano has ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service to produce Sheikh Abduljabar Kabara before the court so he can prosecute his appeal against a death sentence imposed by the Upper Shari’a Court for alleged blasphemy. The Islamic scholar has been in custody since the lower court handed down the sentence.
When the appeal was scheduled for hearing on Monday, Presiding Judge Justice Mohammed Lawal‑Shuaibu ruled that, because the appellant filed the appeal personally rather than through a lawyer, he must appear in person to present his case. Justice Lawal‑Shuaibu was joined on the bench by Justice Abubakar Muazu‑Lamido and Justice Ahmad Ramat‑Mohammed. The court directed the Correctional Service to produce Sheikh Kabara for the next adjourned date, 23 April 2026, to allow him to prosecute his appeal. The matter was adjourned to that date at the request of the defence counsel.
At the outset of proceedings, both parties were absent and unrepresented. Usman Malam‑Hussaini then stood and informed the court that the scholar had sent him a letter requesting his transfer from Kuje prison to Kano to gain unrestricted access to his case records. The Presiding Judge subsequently summoned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru‑Maude SAN, to appear, and then stood down the matter.
When proceedings resumed, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecution in the Kano State Ministry of Justice, Bar. Zahradeen Kofar‑Mata, told the court that the Attorney General was indisposed. He said he had spoken with the Attorney General, who had instructed him to tender an apology to the court for his inability to appear in person. Kofar‑Mata added that the case had been assigned to a private lawyer and that the confusion stemmed from a mix‑up at the court registry. The Presiding Judge expressed concern over what he described as a lack of respect for the court given the Attorney General’s absence and adjourned the matter.
The case continues to draw attention amid ongoing debates over blasphemy laws and judicial processes in Nigeria.
Comments are closed for this story.