I don’t want favour from you, Kano cleric tells judge as he gets death sentence

A controversial Kano-based Islamic cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

An upper Shari’ah court in Kano convicted the embattled cleric who has been standing trial since July 2021 on the charge of blasphemy.

But before the sentence was pronounced on Thursday, there was a mild drama in court when the accused person was asked if he had anything to tell the court, Barrister Aminu Ado Abubakar, who stood as the defence counsel, had stood up pleading with the court to accord him leniency, saying the accused did what he did out of ignorance.

According to a report by Daily Trust, Abduljabbar immediately rose up, stating that he did not know the lawyer and that it was the first time he was seeing him.

“I don’t know him. This is the first time I am seeing him. He should not be allowed to speak on my behalf. I can and should be allowed to speak for myself,” he said.

The judge however said the lawyer was recognised by the court as the defence counsel.

Abduljabbar continued, “My lord, after I heard how you twisted all my evidence, you turned around all my submissions upside down, you have assigned words to me that I have never uttered.

“Deliver your judgement, and I am not asking for leniency at all. I want all my followers to know that I will die a hero and I don’t want you (the Judge) Ibrahim Sarki Yola to do me any favour or grant me leniency. This is my last word. Assalamu Alaikum.”

Apart from the death sentence, the judge also ordered the state government to seize the two mosques belonging to Abduljabbar.
The judge called on all media to desist from using any of Abduljabbar’s teachings and pictures.
The convict was thereafter given 30 days to appeal the judgment or forfeit his right to appeal.

The judge delivered the conviction in a court session which lasted over two hours.

The judge said, “I am convinced that the prosecution counsel has done their part and proved their points beyond a reasonable doubt.”

He thereafter convicted the defendant of all the charges levelled against him.

Kabara was standing trial on the issue bordering on blasphelmous statements against the Holy Prophet Muhammad, an act said to be capable of inciting public and causing chaos.