By Muhammadu Aminu
Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has refused to provide legal aid services to a controversial Kano cleric, Abduljabbar Kabara, who is standing trial for alleged blasphemy.
The Daily Reality earlier reported that the cleric sacked his previous legal teams over a misunderstanding.
Justice Ibrahim Sarki Yola earlier urged the Council to provide pro bono legal services to the cleric to enable him to have a fair trial.
The Council argued that Sheikh Kabara does not deserve its services because he earns more than Nigeria’s minimum wage (30,000).
According to the Council, it is also out of its jurisdiction to defend an alleged blasphemy case.
The prosecuting counsel, Yakubu Abdullahi, appealed to the Judge to allow the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to provide lawyers for the plaintiff.
Justice Yola, however, denied the request and directed that a letter should be written by an independent lawyer, Barr. Dalhatu Shehu to defend the cleric.
Sheikh Kabara has been facing trial for charges related to blasphemy in an Upper Shariah Court in Kano, although he denies the allegations.
Justice Yola adjourned the case to June 9, 2022, for a continuation of the trial.
