Embattled Islamic Cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Sentenced To Death For Blasphemy

An Upper Sharia Court in Kano on Thursday sentenced embattled Islamic cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara to death by hanging after he was found guilty of blasphemy.

"The court after citing several references agreed that those comments by the cleric were admitted by the court as blasphemous comments against the Holy Prophet Muhammad," Judge Ibrahim Sarki Yola said, announcing the verdict.

"This court has established all the charges brought against you and hereby sentences you to death in accordance with Shariah provision on blasphemy," he added.

The judge also ordered the government to seize and take over Kabara's two mosques within Kano's metropolis and his personal library of 182 books, as the embattled cleric sat quietly through the entire judgment, VOA News Reported.

"Deliver your judgment, 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 favor or grant me leniency. This is my last word. Assalamu Alaikum," Kabara said, following the judgment, according to Sahara Reporters.

Kabara, the son of the late Nasiru Kabara, a leader of the Qadariyya Islamic Movement in West Africa, was given 30 days to appeal the judgment.

Kabara was arrested from his residence in Kano and arraigned in July 2021 before an Upper Sharia Court at 'Kofar Kudu,' Emir's palace. He was charged with blasphemy, incitement, and sundry offenses.

The government alleged the cleric of inflammatory religious commentaries and statements, which were highly disrespectful to the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

The witnesses who testified against the cleric narrated how Kabara allegedly made blasphemous comments against the Holy Prophet Muhammad at two different religious gatherings in his mosque. Kabara, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Kabara became popular for his ability to ruffle feathers with his religious commentaries and statements, resulting in him having disagreements with other Sunni Muslim clerics in northern Nigeria.

Nigeria has stringent laws against blasphemy that are adjudicated by Customary Courts and Sharia Courts in twelve northern states. The Customary law against blasphemy can be found in Section 204 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits any act that publicly insults any religion and stipulates a prison sentence of up to two years. Sharia Courts are concerned with acts considered insulting to Muslims, the punishment for which can be as severe as execution.