Lawyer to a traditionalist, Adegbola AbdulAzeez popularly called ‘Tal-Olohun’, who is standing trial for defamation in Kwara State, Barr. Muftau Olobi, yesterday sued for peace among religious bodies and adherents in the country.
Olobi, who is also the convener of the Campaign Against Destruction of Value of Religious Tolerance among Nigerians, urged religious bodies to embrace peace and shun bigotry in order to ensure progress in Nigeria
Olobi is representing Tal’Olohun in a case of alleged defamation of character of some Ilorin scholars, among other offences, who appealed to Muslim bodies to accept the plea of his client and that of his relatives for forgiveness.
The legal practitioner also urged the parties in the matter to adopt amicable and out of court settlement as a way of strengthening peace and peaceful coexistence among members of the community.
He said that his client would be ready to appease those he might have offended through his utterances after his release and further desist from such acts of posting videos on the internet.
Olobi, who also spoke on the fundamental enforcement suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos by associates of his client, condemned the step on the basis that if not withdrawn, it may fuel the embers of disunity among religious bodies.
“The matter has taken different, dangerous dimensions, but basically, there must be religious tolerance. The man in prison custody is involved in vulgar abuse. The matter is before the court. I have nothing to say about it. I stood for him when he was initially arraigned.
“My focus now is to preach the gospel of religious tolerance. I spoke with his relative to appease the Muslim community and they’ve done that. Tani Olohun is equally interested in appealing to all those that are aggrieved. The way out now is to appease everyone. The traditionalists, Muslims, anyone he may have offended.
“The only way out is an amicable settlement. I’m the advocate of out-court-of settlement. The Ulamas are with me too on this”, he said.
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