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Sheikh Abduljabar’s Death Sentence For Blasphemy Shames Us All -Nigerian Humanists

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Followers To Appeal Against Kano Islamic Cleric's Death Sentence For Blasphemy

Nigerian humanists are outraged by the death sentence that was handed down to an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasir Kabara for blasphemy.

A sharia court in Kano convicted Sheikh Abduljabar after it found him guilty of spreading lies about the prophet of Islam and making inciteful preaching.

Speaking for humanists in Nigeria  in a statement on Thursday, the Director of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), Dr Leo Igwe, condemned the development.

Dr Igwe said: “Sheikh Abduljabar denied the charges. That means he objected to the claim that he was spreading messages that were not true about the prophet Muhammad. Or that he was making provocative statements in his preaching. It is not clear how the sharia court was able to establish beyond reasonable doubt that this cleric blasphemed or used his preaching to incite people. The death sentence violates Sheikh Abduljabar’s human and constitutional rights including his rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression. Sheikh Abduljabar has the right to say whatever he thinks or believes about the prophet of Islam even though other Muslims may disagree.

READ  ALSO: Sharia Court Sentences Cleric To Death By Hanging

“The Islamic religion is not a homogenous faith. It has many traditions, sects, and schools of thought that espouse diverse contradictory dogmas and doctrines. The teachings of some sects are seen as lies by others. The preachings by some schools are regarded as provocative and forms of incitement by those who belong to other traditions. Islamic schools of thought and traditions mutually blaspheme and constitute embodiments of incitement. So, if blasphemy were to be a crime, then every Muslim would be a criminal because every Muslim blasphemes as a matter of faith. But blasphemy is not a crime. Blasphemy is a human right. What Abduljabar did was an exercise of his right, not an offence by any stretch of religious or Islamic imagination.

“Unfortunately as enforced in Kano and other sharia implementing states, blasphemy constitutes a device to delegitimize, oppress and suppress Islamic or ir/religious others. Blasphemy is a weapon for the abuse and persecution of minority sects and traditions. Blasphemy is used to sanctify Muslim inhumanity to other Muslims and non-Muslims.

” So the conviction of Sheikh Abduljabar shames us all. It is an indictment of our collective conscience and demonstrates the disconnect between Northern/Nigerian Muslim conscience and humanity. It is sad to note that Muslim jihadists who enslaved and killed Africans who espoused traditional beliefs and practices introduced Islam to the region. After centuries of indoctrination and brainwashing, African jihadists are killing fellow Muslims and fellow Africans for expressing a different idea or belief. Humanists hope that reason, good conscience, and natural justice would prevail and this death sentence would be quashed.”

 

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BREAKING:Lagos Govt Arraigns Chrisland School, Principal, Others Over Death Of Pupil Whitney Adeniran

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Chrisland pupil Whitney

The Lagos State government has arraigned Chrisland School, Opebi, its principal, vice principal and two other employees over the death of one of the school’s pupils, 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran.

On Wednesday, the government of Lagos State had filed charges against Chrisland School and four others over the death of the 12-year-old pupil, Whitney Adeniran.

The school and its workers were accused of involuntary manslaughter and reckless and negligent acts.

The workers who were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja include Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Mrs Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria and Chrisland School Limited.

The school principal, Mrs Belinda Amao, broke down in tears while in the dock as the court and counsel tried to agree on a date for the commencement of the trial.

Whitney died during the school’s inter-house sports competition at Agege Stadium in Lagos on February 9.

Blessing Adeniran, her mother, had accused Chrisland of negligence over her daughter’s death.

The school’s management, however, dismissed insinuations that there was foul play in the death, saying she slumped in public.

Chrisland also argued that Whitney complained about “not-too-buoyant health” a few days before she died.

However, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) confirmed that the deceased died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

In the charges filed on behalf of the state government by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Babajide Martins, who disclosed that their negligence killed Whitney because they failed to ensure her safety.

The charge also disclosed that they all acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

The offences are contrary to Sections 224 & 251 of the Criminal Law, C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015

If found guilty, the offences carry a penalty of life imprisonment and two-year jail terms respectively.

On Tuesday, the state government granted access to Chrisland High School, Opebi branch, to open for physical learning ahead of the school’s forthcoming examination after parents’ appeal.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered that the school be shut down on March 3, 2023, following the investigation into Whitney’s death.

Sanwo-Olu through the state Ministry of Education said the closure of the school would pave the way for unhindered investigation and afford all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grieve.

The reopening followed an appeal by the Parents of all Chrisland School Units who visited the Ministry of Education on Monday to seek the government’s understanding for “the sake of 500 plus students some of whom also have terminal examinations.”

The management of the school had tendered an apology over Whitney’s death.

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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