A faith-based cum civil liberties group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned attacks on the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, describing it as Islamophobic.
The group’s founder/executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement made available to journalists, rejected the allegation of the use of marijuana levelled at the monarch, describing those behind the accusation as rebellious subjects.
The group also congratulated Oluwo on his recent victory at the Court of Appeal.
MURIC said, “Years after the installation of Oba Rasheed Akanbi (Telu I) as the Oluwo of Iwo, some envious Nigerians still call him names and launch false allegations at him.
“Our instinct tells us that it is the handiwork of rebellious subjects, unscrupulous elements, mud-slingers and Muslim-haters.
“It is Islamophobia. Some anti-Islam elements still find it difficult to tolerate Oluwo’s bold and truthful stand on his faith in Islam.
“As the most outspoken Muslim traditional ruler in Yorubaland, the desire of Muslim-haters is to silence him. They use both mainstream and social media to commit their nefarious atrocities.”
The group reminded those it called agent provocateurs, that their actions constitute an infringement on Oluwo’s fundamental human right, adding that, “It amounts to cyberbullying contrary to Section 24(1)(a)(b) and 24(2)(a) – (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.
“It is on record that Oluwo himself has debunked these rumours. They are false, baseless and unfounded. Therefore, anyone found indulging in such illegalities again may have to face the legal consequences.
“To this effect, the Osun State chapter of MURIC has been directed to work closely with progressive groups in the city of Iwo in monitoring provocative pronouncements on both mainstream and social media targeted at the Oluwo.
“The aim is to catch scapegoats among those social media rascals and teach them one or two lessons in self-control and respect for the rights of others.
“If sanity is to be infused into this society, there must be consequences for recklessness, lawlessness and the violation of other people’s Allah-given fundamental human rights.”
