Blasphemy: Sam Adeyemi Reacts To Death Sentence Passed On Kano Gospel Singer

The senior pastor of the Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, has reacted to the judgment of an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State sentencing one Sharrif Yahaya to death for blaspheming the holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)  in a song he released and circulated in March.

Sam Adeyemi via his twitter handle said; "Africa is in desperate need of good leadership. To allow people to descend so low in their quality of thinking and life to the point of taking the lives of others like animals out of tribal and religious prejudice is a gross failure. We must promote love and value for life to develop."

Meanwhile, the Muslim Lawyers Association (MULAN), Kano State branch in a statement signed by the Chairman of the body, Muhammad Sani Garba Esq okayed the death sentence passed on Sharrif Yahaya, says its the right thing.

According to him, “The attention of the Muslim Lawyers Association (MULAN) has been drawn to a criminal case C.O.P. Vs Shariff Yahaya Sharifai No. CR/43/2020 decided on 10th August 2020 by the Upper Shariah Court sitting at Hausawa in Kano State where the accused person was charged, tried, and convicted for the offense of blasphemy against the holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

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“The case has attracted a lot of discussion from within and outside the state. Even among our learned colleagues, some have supported the decision while others oppose it.

“However, having examined the proceedings of the case, MULAN note that the offense under which the convict was charged is an offense known by the Kano State Shariah Penal Code and provided in section 382(B).

“We equally noted that the convict has boldly confessed to his offense during the trial the details of which is contained in a Whatsapp group known as “Gidan Umma Amina” and transmitted into writing, (the certified true copy of the transcribed text was tendered and admitted during trial). “Our stand, however, in view of the foregoing, MULAN has resolved as follows that the honourable Judge of Upper Shariah Court Hausawa was right in his Judgment in which he convicted and sentenced the accused to death for blasphemy against the holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) without prejudice to the right of appeal of the convict.

“This is because the supreme court has decided in the case of Abubakar Shalla Vs State (2007) 12 MJSC at page 52-53 paragraph G-B that the position of the Law under Shariah is that any sane and adult Muslim, who insults, defames, or utter words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium, contempt of the holy prophet (peace be upon him) such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death.

“That the general public should understand that Shariah is a Muslim Law applies only to Muslims. Therefore any person who accepts to be a Muslim must obey the provisions of Shariah irrespective of whether or not it pleases him.

"For people who don’t follow the Islamic faith, we remind them that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has guaranteed Nigerians to practice and observe the religion of their choice and be bound by its laws and principles.

“Islamic scholars are advised to counsel their followers properly in seeking proper Islamic knowledge and always ensure peace and stability in society.

“MULAN urges the executive arm of Government in Kano State to ensure strict compliance to the judgment as part of its commitment towards proper implementation of Shariah,”