From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

An upper Sharia Court in Kano, presided over by Ibrahim Sarki Yola, yesterday sentenced an Idlamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara to death by hanging.

He was convicted for defaming the personality of Noble Prophet Muhammad, while conducting his Islamic preachings at Filin Mushe, Gwale Local Government Area (LGA), and his Mosque, Jamiurrasul, Sharada, Kumbotso LGA, Kano.

The prosecution said 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.

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In his judgement, Ibrahim Sarki Yola upheld that the prosecution has discharged the burden of proof against Abduljabbar. The trial judge maintained that the cleric had failed to defend himself. The court gave him enough time to show the authentic sources of his narrations, but failed to prove his assertions.

While 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 or 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.

“I ordered for the confiscation of all his 189 books he tendered during the trial before the court and they be transferred to Kano State Library.”