metro

Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy

Published

6 months ago

October 13, 2025

Kano State Shura Council

Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy

The Kano State Shura Council on Monday held a closed-door session with Islamic cleric Malam Lawan Shu’aibu Abubakar, popularly known as Triumph, to discuss allegations of blasphemy leveled against him by five Islamic groups.

The meeting, which took place at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Kano, was convened to clarify statements attributed to the cleric in some viral videos that allegedly contained remarks considered derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Present at the session were the Chairman of the Council, Wazirin Kano, Sa’ad Shehu Gidado; the Secretary, Shehu Wada Sagagi; the Kano Director of DSS, and several respected Islamic scholars who are members of the Shura subcommittee tasked with examining the matter.

The meeting began at exactly 11:39am with an opening prayer led by Malam Abba Koki, after which the Council Chairman, Wazirin Kano, welcomed participants and outlined the purpose of the gathering.

“In September 2025, the government received a petition from five Islamic groups alleging that some teachings of the accused amounted to blasphemy against the Prophet. The petition was forwarded to the Shura Council to investigate and make recommendations after hearing from him,” Gidado said.

“This is not a court session but a discussion between the Council and the accused. Whatever we do here will be forwarded to the government for further consideration.”

The Council said although nine issues were raised in the petition, four specific allegations with verifiable evidence were selected for deliberation. These included claims that the Prophet was born circumcised and with eyeliner (kwalli), that he had lice on his head, and that he used to visit the homes of married women, citing an example involving Ummu Haramun, his aunt.

READ ALSO:

A video recording containing the contentious statements was played at 11:53am, and by 12:09pm, Malam Triumph confirmed ownership of the clips.

“They are all my submissions,” he said.

When given the floor to explain, the cleric denied making the statements in the manner alleged.

“I said the Prophet was not born circumcised, with a cut navel or with eyeliner. That he was born circumcised is false; his uncle, Abdulmuttalib, took him for circumcision. Books are available to verify this,” he stated while referencing multiple Islamic texts to support his argument.

On the issue of eyeliner, the cleric said, “I said even animals are born with eyeliner but it cannot be associated with the Prophet because he is above that. I said he did not have it because anything Allah gives him is always special.”

During the discussion, Sheikh Habibu Muhammad Dan Almajiri questioned the cleric’s sources, asking him to identify scholars who explicitly supported his position. Other members, including Sheikh Abdullahi Uwais, Malam Usman Makwarari, and Malam Mai Bushira, emphasized the sensitivity of religious teachings and cautioned against statements that could be misunderstood by the public.

“People of Kano are very sensitive when it comes to anything related to the Prophet. You must be careful with language and context. Even if your intention is good, your words might cause confusion. Please change your approach to teaching,” Mai Bushira said.

Malam Triumph responded that his remarks were taken out of context.

“We sat with the Shari’a Commission earlier and they understood me. Some people didn’t even hear the full clip but judged from short videos. I was misunderstood,” he said.

The Chairman of the Council, Wazirin Kano, reminded participants that the session was not for debate but dialogue aimed at clarification.

In his closing remarks, Malam Triumph expressed appreciation to the Council and reiterated his commitment to peaceful preaching.

“Some people took my clips and misinterpreted them, which can instigate the public. I believe in the Prophet and his teachings; he is our saviour. To those who misunderstood my words, I seek forgiveness. It was not intentional.

“God knows I love peace and peaceful coexistence. May He guide us all,” he said.

Sheikh Abdullahi Uwais Limanci concluded by advising the cleric and other preachers to exercise caution in their choice of words to avoid future controversies.

The meeting ended with a resolution that the Council would forward its findings and recommendations to the state government for appropriate consideration.

Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy

Related Topics:Blasphemy Kano Shura Council

Up Next

Lagos re-arraigns notorious kidnapper Evans for murder of 2 police officers

Don't Miss

Five youths accused of illegal marriage face Kano Hisbah prosecution

metro

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

Published

3 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

Violence erupted on Monday in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa, following the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as a traditional king, prompting the Nigerian High Commission to issue a 10-point safety advisory urging Nigerians in the country to prioritise safety and maintain a low profile.

According to the advisory titled “Advisory to All Nigerians Living in the Republic of South Africa,” citizens were urged to exercise caution, limit movement, avoid interactions with unfamiliar persons, and suspend socio-cultural activities to reduce the risk of becoming targets amid rising tensions. The circular also advised Nigerians to respect local laws and customs and refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media that could escalate the situation.

What began as a peaceful protest over the alleged installation of Solomon Eziko as Igwe Ndigbo quickly escalated. Videos and images of the coronation circulated widely, sparking anger among residents and civic groups. Protesters torched vehicles, vandalised properties, and clashed with law enforcement. Police reportedly deployed teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, while fire services worked to contain the blazes.

READ ALSO:

A man was stabbed during the unrest and taken to hospital. Authorities clarified that the victim was not linked to the demonstration, though some civic groups claimed one of their members was injured and also struck by a vehicle.

Several groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, and the civic movement March and March, joined traditional leaders in condemning the alleged coronation as illegal and unconstitutional.

Athol Trollip, ActionSA Eastern Cape leader, said: “There is no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape. We support existing local kings, not Nigerian kings.”
Steve Motale, Patriotic Alliance spokesperson, said: “We condemn this fake coronation. Even the Nigerian High Commissioner has denounced it.”

The Royal House of AbaThembu also denied involvement, calling social media claims linking King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo to the coronation false and misleading.

The unrest follows recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa, where residents demanded stricter immigration policies targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals. Analysts say the protests reflect broader xenophobic tensions and concern over foreign influence on local traditional structures.

The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens in South Africa to remain law-abiding, cautious, and vigilant until stability returns.

Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation

metro

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

Published

4 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, if he returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial — reportedly as a tactic to pressure him into negotiations.

In a video statement, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said Bashir avoided attending the funeral to prevent detention. “My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned there was a plan to arrest him… they believe if they get him, I will negotiate,” he revealed.

El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Her remains were flown to Abuja and buried on Sunday. The burial coincided with El-Rufai’s ongoing legal troubles, including his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

READ ALSO:

The former governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. His case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearings on pending applications, including his bail request. He was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s funeral.

Observers say El-Rufai’s claims highlight concerns over the alleged use of family members as leverage in political and legal disputes, sparking debate over the conduct of anti-graft agencies in Nigeria. Analysts also note the potential political implications as El-Rufai continues to assert his innocence and challenge the legal proceedings against him.

El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation

metro

Tinubu Appoints Senator Ibrahim Ida as CAC Chairman, Names Seven NPC Commissioners

Published

5 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Appoints Senator Ibrahim Ida as CAC Chairman, Names Seven NPC Commissioners

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major leadership reshuffle in key federal institutions, appointing Senator Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and nominating seven individuals to fill vacant Federal Commissioner positions at the National Population Commission (NPC). The move is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, promoting good governance, and improving data-driven planning and corporate regulation across Nigeria.

Senator Dr. Ibrahim Ida holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Abuja. Prior to his tenure in the Senate representing Katsina Central, he served as Commissioner of Finance in Katsina State and later as a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. At CAC, he is expected to streamline company registration, enhance corporate governance, and boost investor confidence.

READ ALSO:

The seven nominees for the NPC are:

Kolawole Oladipupo Alabi (Ekiti State)
Nasiru Mu’azu (Zamfara State)
Usman Abubakar Tuggar (Bauchi State)
Dr. Isiaka Alada Yahaya (Kwara State)
Professor Sadiq Isah Radda (Katsina State)
Suleiman Umar (Jigawa State)
Honourable Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo (Sokoto State)

These nominees will support the NPC in population data collection, census planning, and demographic research, crucial for effective national policy formulation. Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

In a related development, President Tinubu also appointed Bala Mohammed Bello as Special Adviser on Political Economy. Bello, a graduate of Accounting with an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, previously served as Deputy Governor (Corporate Services) at the Central Bank of Nigeria and as Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Additionally, Dr. Yusuf Mohammed from Kano State was appointed Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, a key institution for technical and vocational education in Gombe State.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in the appointees, emphasizing that their leadership will advance institutional reforms, enhance corporate regulation, and support data-driven governance, contributing to improved economic growth and service delivery across Nigeria.