Alleged Blasphemy:Kano Shura Council Suspends Sheikh Triumph From Preaching, Pending Investigation
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State Shura Council has suspended Sheikh Abubakar Lawan Triumph from conducting preaching, pending investigation into petitions accusing him of making statements viewed as blasphemous to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Some Islamic organizations had petitioned the council alleging that Sheikh Lawan Triumph had blasphemed the Prophet by saying things in disrespect to him.
The Secretary of the council,Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi,disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the council’s meeting on Wednesday.
Sagagi said that the council reviewed all the petitions and counter petitions against the Islamic Scholar, noting that some lacked supporting evidence and were therefore dropped.
He said the petitions accompanied by evidence, including video clips, were carefully studied, and that the committee compiled a detailed report based on their findings.
He said Sheikh Triumph would be summoned to defend himself against the petitions.
The Secretary said the council had set up a committee which would invite him to respond to the allegations against him, adding that the proceedings would be transparent and be publicized through the media.
“Following the resolution reached by the council to invite Sheikh Lawal Triumph to defend himself, the council has set up a committee to invite him,”he said.
He said the council had also received reports on the video clips of Sheikh Triumph’s preaching sessions and analyzed them, noting that Sheikh Triumph would soon be invited to defend himself.
“The committee will soon write and invite him to come and defend himself. The committee will inform him where and when to present himself,” Sagagi said.
He assured residents of the state that the council would ensure justice and fairness to all parties as no individual or group would influence the decision of the council.
He also assured the people of the state that the outcome of the meetings with Sheikh Triumph would be made public.