Moses Ofodeme
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has demanded the execution of the court judgement that found a singer guilty for blasphemy, in Kano state.
In a statement signed on Tuesday, August 18, by its Secretary-General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, in Kaduna; the Shari’ah Council said executing the judgement will serve as a deterrent to others.
It berated those calling for the pardon of the convict and advised the Kano State Government not to be swayed by their antics.
“The calls by some so-called human rights groups to pardon the culprit should not deter the State Government from doing the right thing.
“This case is purely an Islamic affair, in consonance with the religion, culture and wishes; of not only the people of Kano but the majority of the population of Nigeria who are Muslims.
“The Council further wishes to emphatically remind all Nigerians; especially the secular human rights groups that the judgement is in line with the Supreme Court judgement.”
It cited the case of Abubakar Shalla Vs State (2007) 12 MJSC at page 52-53 paragraph G-B; where the Supreme Court ruled “that the position of the Law under Shari’ah is that any sane and adult Muslim; who insults, defames, or utters words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute; odium, contempt of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon
Him), such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death.”
“We, therefore, call on all Muslims to be mindful of their utterances as the Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say what is right or keep silent.”
A Kano Upper Shari’ah Court, on Aug. 10, sentenced one Sharif Yahaya Sharifai to death by stoning for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad as provided under Kano State Shari’ah Law.