Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process

Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilat Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has cautioned social media influencer and blogger, Ifagbemiro Olamigoke Adewola, popularly known as Bennylee, against actions and public statements that could provoke religious tension, promote hatred or threaten peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

The warning followed ongoing criminal proceedings involving the social media personality before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Grand Chief Imam, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, the Islamic leader said the matter had been adjourned until August 6, 2026.

The case reportedly arose from a direct criminal complaint involving allegations of incitement, insulting or inciting contempt of a religious creed, defiling a place of worship or an object of religious significance, and injurious falsehood.

The complaint was also said to be connected to an alleged incident involving the placement of traditional sacrificial items, including a calabash containing boiled eggs and palm oil, on the Holy Qur’an.

The Grand Chief Imam, however, said no pronouncement would be made on the merits of the allegations because the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

He urged all parties and members of the public to respect the judicial process and allow the court to determine the case without interference, pressure or prejudice.

The Islamic leader expressed concern over what he described as the growing use of social media platforms to ridicule religious beliefs, provoke faith-based sentiments and create tension among citizens.

He said freedom of expression was a constitutional right but should be exercised responsibly and within the limits provided by law.

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According to him, freedom of speech should not be used to promote religious hatred, deliberately offend sacred beliefs or encourage actions capable of disrupting public peace.

The Grand Chief Imam also expressed concern over a video in which Bennylee allegedly criticised the practice and discussion of Shari’ah in Yorubaland.

He said some Muslims considered the statements made in the video to be inflammatory, misleading and hostile towards Islam.

The Islamic leader maintained that Shari’ah was an integral aspect of the Islamic faith and that Muslims had the constitutional right to practise their religion and observe its principles within the framework of Nigerian law.

He added that Shari’ah should not be portrayed as an instrument of forced conversion or religious domination.

The Grand Chief Imam warned against the use of misinformation, fear-mongering and inflammatory language to portray Islam or Shari’ah negatively, saying such actions could deepen suspicion, fuel religious intolerance and undermine the peaceful coexistence for which Yorubaland is widely known.

“As a legal practitioner, I wish to remind all Nigerians that the right to freedom of expression carries corresponding responsibilities,” he said.

He noted that publications or conduct capable of inciting religious hatred, provoking public disorder or violating the rights of others could attract legal consequences where offences were established under applicable laws.

The Grand Chief Imam advised Bennylee to reflect on his public engagements and seek accurate knowledge about Islam through dialogue with recognised Islamic scholars.

He said disagreements over religion should be addressed through respectful engagement, mutual understanding and peaceful dialogue rather than hostility or contempt.

The Islamic leader also commended Barrister U.S. Imam and his legal team for pursuing the matter through lawful and constitutional channels.

He said their decision to seek redress through the court demonstrated that grievances arising from alleged religious provocation or desecration should be addressed through legitimate institutions rather than self-help or confrontation.

The Grand Chief Imam urged Muslims across Yorubaland and Nigeria to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, regardless of the level of provocation.

He warned against taking the law into their own hands and encouraged members of the Muslim community to pursue justice through lawful means.

He also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, public officials, content creators and social media influencers to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements.

According to him, Nigeria’s unity, peace and stability depend on mutual respect among people of different religious beliefs.

The Grand Chief Imam urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue, tolerance and understanding, stressing that people of different faiths should be able to disagree without hatred and engage one another without contempt.

He prayed for continued peace, harmony, justice and religious tolerance across Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process