Kano state Upper Sharia Court presided over by Ibrahim Sarki Yola on Thursday convicted Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara to death by hanging for defaming the personality of Noble Prophet Muhammad while conducting his Islamic preachings at Filin Mushe, Gwale LGA, and his Mosque, Jamiurrasul, Sharada, Kumbotso LGA, Kano.
The Cleric was convicted in connection with four count charge of defamation of character against Noble while making commentry on Prophet Muhammad Marriage in Hadith Number 1,365 and 1, 428 his marriage with Nana Safiyya.
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According to the prosecution, the Cleric committed the offence, contrary to section 382 and 375 of Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000.
The blasphemous statement was recorded and circulated on social media Platforms, especially Ashabul Kahfi social media pages.
In his judgement, Ibrahim Sarki Yola upheld that the Prosecution has discharged the burden of proof against Abduljabbar.
He said the four witnesses called by the Prosecution, include; Adamu Adamu Gwale, Murtala Kabiru Muhammad, Inspector Muhammad Kabir and Professor Ahmad Murtala who successfully linked the with the charge against Abduljabbar.
The Trial Judge maintained that the Cleric has failed to defend himself
“The court gave him enough time to show the authentic sources of his Narrations but failed to prove his assertions,”
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The prosecution has established that the blasphemous words used by Abduljabbar during his commentary was fabricated not in line with the propounded by Imam Malik and Imam Bukhari,”
Delivering the judgement, the trial judge upheld that section 382 (B) of Kano State Sharia Penal Code 2000 provides that “any person whosoever found using any expression by means of words, gesture abusing the Holy Prophet Muhammad shall be convicted to death,”
” I Ibrahim Sarki Yola, Upper Sharia Court Judge City Number One, I found you Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara committing an act contrary to section 283 (B) of Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000, I therefore sentence you to death by hanging,”
“I similarly order the total closure of your mosques located at Filin Mushe Gwale LGA and Jamiurrasul located at Sharada”
Sarki Yola similarly banned the use of the convict preachings in all Radio stations.
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“I ordered for the consfication of all his 189 books he tendered during the trial before the court and be transferred to Kano state library,”
Immediately after the court found the Cleric guilty, the Judge however asked him if he has anything to say in mitigation of his sentence. He replied to the court that “I’m telling my followers not to despair, I will die with the honour of good men.
“I prayed for quick execution without any delay” He concluded.
Reacting to the death sentence shortly after it was delivered, the Kano State Attoney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister MA told the Newsmen the sentence passed on the Islamic Schoolar would be enforced to logical conclusion.
