A Kano Upper Shari’a Court today sentenced controversial cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara, to death by hanging for making blasphemous statements against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), an act the court said could cause a breach of public peace.
The court presided over by Kadi (judge), Ibrahim Sarki Yola, also banned radio and television stations from broadcasting works produced by the cleric.
It equally ordered the Kano State Government to confiscate the two mosques belonging to Abduljabbar in the state.
The state government had arraigned the cleric in July 2021 for blasphemy, saying the blasphemous statements were made on August 10, October 25, and December 20, 2019.
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However, today’s court session which lasted over two hours was not without drama.
Before pronouncing his judgement, the judge asked the convict if he had anything to say.
A lawyer, Aminu Abubakar, who announced his appearance as defence counsel, pleaded with the court to show leniency, adding that the cleric acted out of ignorance.
Cutting in, Nasiru-Kabara denied knowing Abubakar, saying the lawyer was not representing him.
He also dared the judge to do his worst.
“I don’t know him. This is the first time I am seeing him. He should not be allowed to speak on my behalf. I can and should be allowed to speak for myself,” the cleric said.
He added, “My lord, after I heard how you twisted all my evidence, you turned around all my submissions upside down, you have assigned words to me that I have never uttered.
“Deliver your judgement, and I am not asking for leniency at all. I want all my followers to know that I will die a hero and I don’t want you (the judge) Ibrahim Sarki Yola to do me any favour or grant me leniency. This is my last word. Assalamu Alaikum,” Nasiru-Kabara said.
The court subsequently sentenced the convict to death by hanging.