Nine [9] to die by hanging for blaspheming

A Kano Shariah High Court has sentenced a Muslim cleric, Abdulaziz Dauda, popularly known as Inyass, and nine others to death by hanging for blasphemy Prophet Mohammed.

The court of Islamic law gave the ruling on Tuesday against Dauda and nine others, saying they also incited people to perpetuate religious violence...


The prosecutor, Lamido Abba Sorondinki, said Dauda equated the Prophet Mohammed with the late leader of another religious order during a public gathering in Kano in August, last year.

Sorondinki said the accused were found guilty after five witnesses, including police, testified against them.

The 10 have the right to seek redress at an upper appellate court. The trial, it was learnt, was conducted in camera.

Dauda was arrested on August 18, 2015 in Abuja and brought to Kano to face trial on a two-count charge of blasphemy and inciting crisis.

Hundreds of Muslim youths had burnt the sharia court located at Rijiyar Lemo area of Kano in protest against the “blasphemous comments” allegedly made by Dauda, a leader of the Tijjaniyya sect.

He reportedly committed the offence at the Maulud festivity on June 31, 2015. Soron Dinki said five witnesses, including the police, testified before the court.

Dauda’s counsel, who concealed his identity, refused to comment on the judgment. They all have the right to appeal against the death sentence.