Religion

By Muhammad Sabiu

Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, who is on trial for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), claims that his attorney, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, received N2 million as bribe to influence the Upper Shari’a court judge presiding over the case.

During the resumption of the meeting, the defense counsel, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, who was represented by Mr. Muhammad Lawan, pleaded with the court to permit the defendant to adopt his final written remarks on his own behalf.

In adopting his last written arguments, dated and submitted on September 20, the defendant asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Kano State Government against him and direct the state to issue an apology to him.

“I urge the court to adopt the written addresses as my argument in this case and evidence, my audio preachings.”

Kabara continued to claim that the attorney chosen by the court to represent him had amassed N2 million to bribe the judge, stating the attorney had come to the prison and informed him that the judge had instructed him to do so in order to release and exonerate the defendant.

“My lawyer told me he gave the judge N1.3 million, another person N200,000 and he himself took N500,000.”

In his final written arguments, Mamman Lawan-Yusufari SAN, the prosecution’s attorney, pleaded with the court to find the defendant guilty in accordance with the law and accept their arguments as evidence against him in a document dated and filed on September 22.

The defense presented one witness and offered 24 books and a memory card as proof, while the prosecution rested its case on the testimony of four witnesses.

Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, the preeminent judge, refuted the claim that he accepted a bribe.

He stated that both parties would later be informed of the judgment date.

After the court session, Shehu Usman spoke to reporters and refuted the claim that he had accepted the sum of N2 million as a bribe.

Shehu added, “I am not surprised, my client had also made some allegations against his other three sets of lawyers before.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

A man diligently taking care of a house meant for Muslim converts in Gwale LGA, Kano State, has opened up on the tough times the people are going through.

Malam Hassan Tela described to The Daily Reality how the Kano State Government had abandoned the house located at Hauren Wanki, Gwale LGA, without food and basic necessities for over 11 years amidst the biting economic hardship in Nigeria.

Hassan Tela said that the forsaken converts are now under the care of a few individuals who shoulder their responsibilities since the government had turned its back on them.

He stated that the house is under the Kano State Shari’ah Commission, founded by the former governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, in his first tenure in 2004.

The Daily Reality gathered that during the Shekarau administration, the converts were well taken care of and had their foodstuffs provided every month, including soaps and detergents to wash their clothes.

The end of Shekarau’s tenure throws converts into a dilemma

However, the end of Shekarau’s term opened the door of hardship and hunger for these abandoned converts for over a decade, leaving them stranded and, sometimes, starved.

Tela said, “During Shekarau administration, the governor provided foodstuffs such as rice, beans, maize, yam and other items to the converts, including the pocket money.

“The government also sponsored the children to continue their studies from primary to tertiary institutions. Books, shoes, bags, and uniforms were also provided for them. Life then was smooth. I also had my N15,000 allowance every month.”

However, when Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was elected as Kano state governor in 2011, he stopped the feeding and the allowance. Likewise, Governor Ganduje, whose administration has marked its 7th year.

Our reporters gathered that despite all the pleas by Tela and his Da’awa preaching colleagues, the government turned a deaf ear to the plight of the converts and those taking care of them. This development has forced many of the converts to drop out of school.

‘We sell our preaching bus to feed converts’ – Tela

“Because we cannot keep human beings without food, and the converts numbering thirty-seven, we had to sell our bus we used to go for preaching to sustain this activity.

“Some people that came to our rescue purchased a tricycle (Adaidaita Sahu) for us. After spending some years and the machine was old enough to work, because it broke down almost every day and we didn’t save anything because we used the money for our daily shopping, we had to sell it too to buy foodstuffs.

“In those days, when goods and services were cheap, N2500 was enough for me to do all the shopping, but now, I spend N5000, and we are still managing.

“But Alhamdulillah, the founding fathers of Hanan and Abu Hanifa schools, including the current deputy governor of Kano State and a few others, have lent us their helping hands.”

It’s difficult for us – converts

Some of the converts that spoke to The Daily Reality have voiced a passionate plea to the government to come to their aid.

A convert, Aisha Hassan, pleaded with the government to come to their aid, saying, “Sometimes we would wake up, and we have no money to shop.”

A convert, Ummu-Salma Musa, said, “Some of us are in school, but we don’t have reading materials such as books and bags, and we also need some clothes to wear.”

Another convert who identified herself as Hafsat, and has completed her diploma programme, said, “We really face many challenges including lack of soaps, detergents, slippers and sandals for our younger ones going to primary and secondary schools. We also hope to further our education.”

Aisha Danjuma said, “We also need to learn some skills as some of us are not going to school.”

When contacted, the Director Public Enlightenment of Kano State Shari’ah Commission, Malam Aminu Musa, said he could not comment on the allegations.

He said, “I know of the issue. But as of now, honestly speaking, I cannot say anything about it. In addition, there have been changes and appointments in the commission, and I am one of those appointed that assumed duty on Monday.”

By Ibrahim Siraj Adhama in Mecca

Baba Sayinna Goni Mukhtar and Musa Ahmad Musa, both from Borno State, are competing in the second and third categories of the competition, respectively.

The preliminary stage was held between Saturday and Sunday in the hotel where all the participants are lodged and only successful reciters will make it to the final stage which will be conducted under full public glare within the precincts of the Grand Holy Mosque starting Monday.

Participants in the competition were drawn from Muslim countries around the world as well as representatives of minority Muslim communities.

The International Competition, which is returning after two years suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, promises to be exciting with the introduction of Qira’at category (now first category) and an upward review of cash prizes to be won.

Highlights of this year’s competition include visits to important religious sites in Mecca and Medina.

The competition will draw to a close on September 21 with the announcement of winners and distribution of prizes.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Zuwaira Ahmed, a 13-year-old girl, from Katsina state has memorised and written the complete sixty sections of the Holy Qur’an by heart.

The girl, adored and admired by many, hailed from Kagara village of Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

The Daily Really gathered that Zuwaira memorised the Holy Qur’an in four years, the development which her parents said was a blessing to them, let alone the girl.

At the Walimah occasion on Sunday, organised to honour the girl, the district head of Mahuta, Alh. Bello Abdulkadir, has commended the girl and urged parents to continue supporting their children towards such a noble cause.

Abdulkadir also commended her parents, teachers and community leaders in what he described as proper upbringing.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Kafur LGA, Alh. Garba Abdullahi-Kanya, assured support for her education at secondary and tertiary levels.

Qur’an is the Muslim Holy book revealed to the last prophet and messenger of Allah, Muhammad, peace be upon him. Muslim find it interesting, appealing and a source of blessing to memorize its whole content by heart.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has disassociated the association from reports that it has reached a truce with the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, on his choice of a Muslim as his running mate.

In a statement released by CAN on Monday, September 5, 2022, CAN distanced itself from the reports that they have endorsed same-faith ticket.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement released on his behalf by his spokesperson, Luminous Jannamike, described the reports as untrue.

Part of the statement reads, “For the records, CAN took a position against the same-faith ticket imbroglio under the leadership of Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, its immediate past national president, and as a matter of fact, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stands on that same position.”

“While CAN may not agree with every decision taken by politicians and political parties, it respects their rights to reach conclusions on issues that affect their electoral fortunes so long as they accord with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act (2022).”

Tinubu, a Muslim presidential candidate of the ruling party had chosen Senator Kashim Shettima, also a Muslim, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election. This political decision has earned CAN’s outrage and multiple criticisms.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, said there was no rift between Muslims and Christians in the country.

Bishop Kukah said this while responding to questions on TVC News Breakfast Show on Monday, September 5, 2022. He said Nigeria’s problem is irresponsible leaders who weaponize religion as a tool of exploitation and oppression.

“There is no problem between Christians and Muslims. There is a problem with irresponsible leaders who don’t want to govern properly, irresponsible religious leaders who have now seen religion as a tool of oppression, instead of a tool for liberation.

“This has been the thrust of my argument because these are two areas of study. With all sense of modesty, I have spent a good part of my life studying theology and studying religion and society,” Bishop Kukah stated

Bishop Kukah, while commenting on the role of religion and ethnicity on Nigeria’s politics, also said the leaders have failed at building governance that prioritize the affairs of the citizens.

He explained, “If you are watching a football match or any game at all, that’s why there are referees. If the referee does not do what needs to be done and allows supporters to jump onto the field, you can see for yourself that referees are punishing coaches who overreach themselves by stepping even if it is just one inch, into the field. They are punished; sometimes they are taken off the pitch.

“Now, this is really what a state is supposed to be because, without the state, it will be all of us against each other. And that is why the state is called a leviathan. You put so much power so that the state can protect us. The Nigerian state has proved itself to be incompetent, grossly malfunctioning, unwilling to commit to the welfare of citizens as the principal basis of governance.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old Pastor, Israel Adebayo, for allegedly raping a 14 year-old member of the choir in the church.

The Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this Sunday, said another pastor had been caught in the act of alleged rape.

Oyeyemi said another 48-year-old pastor, Michael Abiodun, was also arrested Friday for allegedly defiling and impregnated a 12-year-old member of his church at Owode Egba in Obafemi-Owode LGA.

He added that the pastor is tue General Overseer of “The Beloved Chapel” situated at No. 9, Iyaniwura street, off Owonikoko street Agbado area of Ogun state.

However, the mother of the victim stated that while she was away from home for treatment of an ailment, her daughter went to the church.

She added that, “But she ‘fell’ into the hands of the Pastor who lured her into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.”

Oyeyemi told journalists that, “On interrogation, the Pastor who admitted defiling the victim pleaded for forgiveness. According to him, his family and that of the victim are so close, but he didn’t know how and why such thing happened to him.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect would have been arrested long ago, but the mother of the victim frustrated the move because she doesn’t want to offend her Pastor.

“But when the victim continued bleeding from her private part since the incident which happened October 2021, she was left with no other option than to allow Police come into the matter,” he said.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has cautioned politicians against exploiting politics in the nation through religion, noting that a severe result would follow such a move just as it had in Germany during Adolf Hitler’s rule.

On Tuesday in Abuja, as part of the celebrations for his 70th birthday, Kukah spoke at the launch of his new book, Broken Truth.

“If you look at history, there is a consequence for using religion to manipulate politics. We just need to look at Germany. The consequences are there to see in Hitler.

“The problem is that the Nigerian political elites lack the mental capacity to understand the consequences of the fire they are stoking because there is nothing to suggest that the average person who is living in the north, who is Fulani, who is a Muslim, or who is Hausa, can say that they are proud of the Nigerian political system, beyond a very tiny percentage.

“So, if you decide that you want to give privilege to a religion or an ethnic group, what will happen is that others automatically become outsiders,” the bishop was quoted as saying.

Additionally, he indicated that protests are still taking place in the nation because the populace is more knowledgeable than those in charge of its affairs.

Kukah added, “The agitation that persists in Nigeria is largely borne out of the fact that those who govern us are not aware of how much mental progress ordinary people have made.

“Those who are being governed are more intelligent and endowed. And it will not have been a bad thing if people who don’t know seek knowledge.”

By Sabi’u Muhammad

One of the imams of the National Mosque, Abuja, Professor Ibrahim Maqari, has criticised and rubbished the conduct and nature of work of Nigerian university lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Commenting on the issue of the ongoing ASUU strike, the controversial cleric queried the work of the university lecturers arguing that it does not yield any fruitful results.

In a 2-minute video clip in Hausa that went viral on social media, Maqari boasts, “No one would claim I don’t know university system. If anyone says so, it’s up to him.

“However, I had some knowledge of this position. This position presents several opportunities for disagreements and miscommunication. This work, as we’re calling it, is. In the name of work, what are we doing in the universities? The studies are where? There is no action taken.

“They steal and lie about everything. Each of them plagiarises the work of others. It’s all falsehoods, I assure you (wallahi).”

The retired academic stresses that most of his colleagues only feign carrying out research, but they don’t actually do it. He also laments that they only make an effort to have their papers published just to be promoted.

“It might be claimed, for example, that you are supervising or conducting research. That is false! except for a tiny minority, nothing is being done. They may be acting” (the research). But 80% of them aren’t doing it, which proves that they aren’t doing anything.

“When you see someone performing research, he’s pursuing promotion; therefore, he’d gather the works of his students or joint papers and enhance them to publish as his work merely to be promoted.

“His pen stopped after he was promoted! Did you get the point? How many people, after receiving a professorship, write 100 pages? Visit the universities to confirm! It would surprise you. I’m positive they’re 2/10. After that, 8/10 of researchers leave the field because their primary goal was to advance their careers.

“Like lecturing, it’s tough to find somebody who can complete 10 credit units weekly for a 6-hour course. It’s not much more than that, but I’ve forgotten. We’re down to 4 or 2 credit units, just like you. I took only 4 credit units over around three years.

“Before class, there is no preparation work to be done. It is entirely false. It’s been a 20-year-old handout. There is no investigation. The handout has been ingrained in each student’s memory.

“He has been teaching the same thing for nearly three years, and he is still teaching it now,” he said.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Kano State Government is set to provide equipment and other relevant working materials to Hisbah offices to enhance operational capabilities.

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Kano State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Muhammad Tahir Adam, made the disclosure at the passing out parade of five hundred Hisbah corps.

Ganduje commended the efforts and commitments of the staff and management of the Hisbah Board in discharging their responsibilities.

He also called on the Kano residents to complement the government’s efforts by abiding by rules and regulations to maintain a crime-free society.

Speaking at the event, the commander general of the board, Sheikh Harun Muhammad Sani Ibn Sina, urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant. 

He said, “I call on the parents and guardians to be more vigilant and report any suspected person or character to relevant authorities to move the state forward.”