‘I Did Not Defame You, Let’s Meet In Court’ — Lawyer Omirhobo Dares Sheikh Gumi

Human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, has responded to an ultimatum issued to him by Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, insisting that he will not retract his public call for the government to investigate the cleric over his alleged defence of terrorists.

In a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, titled “Sheikh Gumi, I Did Not Defame You—Let’s Meet in Court,” Omirhobo said his attention has been drawn to the 24-hour ultimatum issued by Sheikh Gumi demanding that he retract his public statement calling on the Nigerian Government to investigate Gumi’s consistent public defence of terrorists.

Omirhobo said his earlier comments were not defamatory but were instead protected under the Nigerian Constitution as legitimate public commentary made in the national interest.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I state unequivocally that my statement is not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary made in the public interest, relying on verifiable facts and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022,” he said.

The lawyer clarified that he never accused Sheikh Gumi of being a terrorist but merely urged relevant authorities to investigate his “public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed terrorists.”

“I did not accuse Sheikh Gumi of being a terrorist. I only called on the appropriate authorities to investigate his public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed terrorists, which is a lawful civic duty under Sections 14, 24, and 45 of the Constitution,” Omirhobo explained.

Recall that Sheikh Gumi had via his Facebook page issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Omirhobo to retract his comments or face legal action. However, the lawyer dismissed the threat, maintaining that any perceived defamation should be tested in court.

“If Sheikh Gumi believes he has been defamed, the proper forum is a court of competent jurisdiction, not intimidation through threats or ultimatums,” he stated.

Reaffirming his stance, Omirhobo declared that he would not withdraw his statement, stressing that no individual, regardless of status or religious standing, is above the law.

“I stand by my statement. I refuse to retract it. No individual, cleric or otherwise, is above the law,” he said.

The lawyer further argued that defending or justifying the actions of terrorists poses grave national security implications and should not be overlooked by authorities.

“Defending, pacifying, or providing justification for terrorists who are killing Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that deserve investigation, not silence,” he added.