Court to hear cleric’s appeal challenging death sentence

A Kano State High Court Division of Appeal on Monday, fixed May 9, to hear a suit filed by a Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, who was sentenced to death by hanging for blasphemy.

Supreme News reports that an Upper Shari’a Court on Dec.15, 2022, sentenced Abduljabbar to death by hanging for blasphemy.

When the case came up for hearing, Counsel to the Appellant, Mr Sadiq Yusuf, requested for N20 million cost against the Kano State government for wasting the appellant’s time.

The state Counsel, Bashir Saleh, objected to the appellant’s request, adding that he was served with the court processes in March 2024 not February.

He made an application for extension of time and sought for an adjournment.

NAN reports that the appellant’s counsel later withdrew the N20 million cost request.

The two member-panel, led by Justice Nasiru Saminu and Justice Aisha Mahmoud, adjourned the matter until May 9, for hearing.

The appallent committed the offence on Aug.10, Oct.25 and Dec.20, 2019 while conducting his preachings at his two mosque .

The state said that Kabara made a blasphemous comment against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his marriage with Nana Safiyya in hadith 1,365, 1,428, 2,326 and 5,120 Sahih-Bukhari and Muslim and posted it on his Facebook page Ashabul Kahfi.

The offence, the state said, contravened the provisions of sections 382(b) and 375 of Kano State Shari’a Law 2000.