Blasphemy: Gov Ganduje Ready To Okay Cleric’s Death Sentence

The death by hanging sentence delivered by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano on controversial Islamic cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara for blasphemy has continued to attract reactions from the public space with the Kano State government ready to sign the warrant anytime.

Sheikh Abduljabbar was tried and sentenced to death for his blasphemous statements against Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), an act believed to be capable of inciting the people and disrupting public peace.

Reacting to the Court ruling, the Kano state government said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje would sign the death warrant once all legal processes have been exhausted.

By law, the convict has a right of appeal up to the Supreme Court. However, that right must be exercised within 30 days of the judgment at the State High Court.

According to the Kano State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Lawan Musa, the Governor would not hesitate to endorse Abduljabbar’s death sentence at the conclusion of all legal proceedings relating to the case.

He said in line with the government’s zero tolerance for breakdown of law and order in the state, Governor Ganduje would not shy away from the responsibility of doing what is right at all times.

The Commissioner described the judgment as vindicating the State government and its decision to file the case against Abduljabbar to demonstrate that no one is above the law.

“Just as it (position of the governor) has not changed in the case of Hanifa, it has equally not changed on this. You know there are a lot of procedures to follow and His Excellency is ever ready; once that warrant is brought before him, he’s going to sign it,” the Attorney-General said.

For Sheikh Abubakar Sani Madatai of the Tijjaniyya sect in the state; “The judgment is on the right track in the Islamic religion. Every Muslim is happy with this judgment.

“He made blasphemous speeches and the court followed the case to a logical conclusion and eventually convicted him. With the judgment, the non-Muslims can understand that even among the Muslims, if one makes a blasphemous speech, he should be sentenced to death, it happened during the time of the Prophet (PBUH).”

Not surprising, most followers of the convicted Cleric have been in a sober mood, even as some Islamic preachers in the state were clearly unwilling to make comments on the judgment.

However, offering his thoughts on the Court’s ruling, an adherent of Abduljabbar’s preachings, who identified himself as Abdulrahaman Haido, expressed sadness at the development.

He said though the judgment was harsh to bear, their prayers to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala would make things better and easier for the convicted preacher.

Abduljabbar’s conviction and sentencing ended a 16-month-long trial before the court following his arraignment by the Kano State government for blasphemy, incitement, and sundry offences on July 16, 2021.

The offences were said to have contravened Sections 382, 375 of Kano Sharia Penal Code Law.

Meanwhile, reports indicated heavy security presence across major roads and public places before, during and after the court ruling on Thursday.

Similarly, the Sani Mainagge area housing the convicted preacher’s residence was fully secured while the two mosques where the statements he made landed him in trouble were manned by heavily-armed security operatives.