Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest

Muslim leaders in Enugu have strongly denied allegations linking them to the arrest of Alhaji Musa Ani, insisting that the claims circulating on social media are false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension within the community.

The clarification follows reports suggesting that Muslim leaders orchestrated Ani’s arrest. However, community leaders maintained that the arrest was carried out by security agencies after formal petitions were submitted over alleged mismanagement of the Enugu Islamic Centre.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Enugu State, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Ezeani, explained that Ani’s arrest was the outcome of lawful investigations triggered by complaints from members of the Muslim community.

He said Ani was invited by relevant authorities and later arrested after failing to provide satisfactory explanations regarding his long-term stewardship of the Islamic Centre, which he said has lasted for more than 30 years.

Ezeani added that the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier intervened in the dispute and established terms of reference, including a full audit of the centre’s financial records and governance structure.

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The leaders also addressed the long-standing dispute over the Enugu Islamic Centre, noting that it was established in 1958 to serve all Muslims in the former Eastern Region and was never intended for any single ethnic or sectional group.

Ezeani lamented that the facility, which once served as a hub for education and worship, has deteriorated over the years. He said it is now largely occupied by commercial activities and artisans, with concerns raised about the proper accounting of revenues generated from the centre.

Other Muslim leaders in the state echoed similar concerns, stressing that the Islamic Centre belongs to all Muslims regardless of ethnic background and calling for urgent reforms to restore its original purpose.

President of the Yoruba Muslim Community in Enugu, Alfa Abdul Adeyemi, said the centre was established through collective contributions to promote both Islamic and Western education, and urged transparency in its management.

A leader of the Arewa Muslim community, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, also dismissed claims of exclusive ownership, attributing the centre’s decline to years of poor administration and lack of accountability.

Chairman of the steering committee set up following DSS intervention, Alhaji Kassim Ofordile Idoko, said a new management structure has been introduced with the mandate to restore order and revive the institution.

Chief Imam of Nsukka Central Mosque, Yakubu Abdullahi Omeh, called for government intervention to maintain peace within the Muslim community, warning that unresolved disputes could deepen divisions.

He traced the ownership disagreement back to 1993 and referenced a government white paper affirming that the land belongs to the entire Muslim community in Enugu State, not any particular group.

The leaders collectively urged all stakeholders to respect existing rulings and work together to reposition the Islamic Centre for religious, educational, and community development purposes.

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest