You have renounced Islam if you defend Yahaya- Muslim Cleric

Abubakar Usman Mabera, the Chairman of Sokoto state Ulama forum of Izala, has come out to say that, any Muslim lawyer who defends Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, the musician who was sentenced to death in Kano state for blasphemy, has renounced Islam.

You would recall that, Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death by hanging on August 10 after he was found guilty of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.

There were widespread outcry across the nation over the initial judgement by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State .

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria also went on to direct the Kano state government to execute the court judgment.

The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, also ratified the judgement saying that he would not hesitate to sign Sharif-Aminu’s death warrant if he failed to file an appeal within 30 days.

Sharif-Aminu has however appealed against the court’s decision.

The Chairman of Sokoto State Ulama forum, Mabera, however came out to say that blasphemy is a capital offence in Islam and the punishment is death.

He further stated that, a competent court has found Sharif-Aminu guilty, hence he cannot be pardoned.

He however asked Muslim lawyers to be careful in defending the convict, adding that “any lawyer who comes out to defend him has renounced his Islamic faith”.

The cleric also asked the Muslim faithful to seek God’s forgiveness because the prevailing setbacks in the country are signs of wrongdoing.

He said ”From all indications, God is not happy with us and we have to repent because he alone is the answer to our woes”.