The followers of Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, a cleric who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State, have accused some individuals of colluding to disrupt the appeal filed in respect of his case. Speaking at a press conference held at the NUJ press centre in Kano, the cleric’s followers expressed concerns that the gang-up could undermine efforts to get justice for Sheikh Kabara in his ongoing appeal against the death sentence.
Ibrahim Warure, one of Sheikh Kabara’s followers, called out some clerics for making attempts to deny the accused cleric a fair hearing. The move comes after a Sharia Court in Kano State sentenced Sheikh Kabara to death by hanging, prompting his followers to file an appeal with the High Court of Justice.
The case has been at the forefront of discussions over the application of Sharia Law in the Northern parts of Nigeria. Sheikh Kabara, a prominent figure in Kano State, has been at loggerheads with the state government for his controversial interpretations of the Qur’an, which some authorities deem as a violation of the tenets of Islam.
The Kano State government has been accused of clamping down on religious dissent in recent times through draconian laws that limit freedom of religion, expression and association. The government has also been accused of allowing religious extremists to act with impunity, plaguing the state with violence and unrest.
The appeal for Sheikh Kabara’s case is currently ongoing, and his followers believe that the outcome of the case will have a significant impact on religious and personal freedoms in Nigeria.
In conclusion, it is imperative that the authorities in Kano State allow the judicial process to run its course without any external pressures or interferences. The outcome of the appeal is expected to address the politically sensitive issues of blasphemy and religious dissent, which have become a source of tension in Northern Nigeria.
