Religious Groups Drag Kano Governor To Court Over Islamic Cleric’s Alleged Blasphemy Saga

Several religious groups have filed a lawsuit against the Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside the State’s Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, over the handling of the alleged blasphemy controversy involving Islamic cleric, Malam Abubakar Lawan Triumph.

The legal action was revealed in a court document circulating online, titled “In the Matter of an Application for Judicial Review by Way of Order of Mandamus and Certiorari in the Matter of Malam Abubakar Lawal (Alias Lawan Triumph) in the High Court of Justice of Kano State, Kano Judicial Division, Holden at Kano”.

According to the document, the respondents in the suit, which include Governor Yusuf, the Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney-General, were accussed of failing to perform their statutory duties of initiating criminal prosecution for offences under the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024 (as amended).

The case was jointly filed by Interfaith Partners for Peace and Development, Fityanul Islam of Nigeria, Sairul Qalbi Foundation, Tijjaniyya Youth Enlightenment Initiative, Hablullahi Mateen Foundation, Dariqa Qadiriyya of Nigeria, Kadiriyya Youth Awareness, Kadiriyya Riyadul Janna Kofar Na’tsa, Ashabul Kahfi Foundation, and Majmau Ashabul Yameen.

LEADERSHIP reports that the controversy involving Malam Lawan Triumph began in September after some of his sermons and social media posts were deemed blasphemous by certain religious groups, sparking public outrage and debate across the state. The situation prompted the state government to intervene through the State Shura Council, which was directed to investigate the allegations.

Following the government’s directive, the Shura Council reviewed audio and video evidences related to the cleric’s preachings and subsequently invited him for a deliberation session.

The Shura Council and the government appealed for calm and urged clerics and residents to refrain from making inflammatory statements, assuring that the matter would be handled through due process. The Kano State Police Command also called for restraint, warning against actions or comments that could disrupt public peace.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State Government nor the Police Command has issued an official response to the lawsuit.