Islamic Cleric Kabara Petitions CJN Over Death Sentence

Islamic cleric Kabara, currently detained at the medium security custody center in Kuje, Abuja, has been sentenced to death by an upper sharia court in Kano presided over by Mallam Ibrahim Sarki Yola for making blasphemous statements about the Holy Prophet Muhammad during a sermon in December 2022. Kabara filed an appeal against the judgment, arguing that he was denied a fair hearing and that his defense team was not given adequate opportunity to present their case.

He claims that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and that the statements made were scholarly references rather than blasphemous remarks. In his petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, dated March 26, 2026, Kabara alleges that the appeal process has been deliberately stalled and that the Kano state government has influenced the judicial process to prevent the appeal's progress.

He accuses the judicial authorities of manipulating charges and compromising the integrity of the trial. Kabara insists that the charges against him are politically motivated and violate his constitutional rights, urging the Chief Justice to ensure his appeal is heard transparently.