The group described the charges filed against the cleric and the judgement delivered as baseless and politically motivated.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi'ites, has demanded the immediate release of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, who was sentenced to death by hanging by the Upper Sharia Court in Kano over alleged blasphemy.
The group described the charges filed against the cleric and the judgement delivered as baseless and politically motivated.
IMN disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja in a petition signed by Halima Aliyu on behalf of the Academic Forum of the movement and addressed to the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Legal Aid Council, Amnesty International and Human Rights Monitor.
The group called on international organisations to take action and prevail on the Kano State government and the Sharia court to review the judgment in the interest of justice.
The petition also called for an appeal against the ruling delivered by Judge Ibrahim Sarki Yola of the Upper Shariah Court with a view to overturning the judgement.
The petition reads in part, "We write to draw your attention to a questionable court judgement sentencing Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasuru Kabara, Kano to death by hanging; and to seek the intervention of all people of conscience for the unconditional release of the cleric.
"Sheikh Abduljabbar is a prominent cleric and son of Sheikh Nasuru Kabara Kano. The family of Sheikh Nasuru Kabara is a highly respected family not only in Nigeria and Africa but across the globe. Recently, people who are active in listening to speeches of some self-proclaimed Muslim scholars in Kano State and other parts of Northern Nigeria have witnessed how grudges developed between Sheikh Abduljabbar and the scholars as a result of research being conducted by the Sheikh.
"Sheikh Abduljabbar is well known for conducting research on Islamic history and the authenticity of traditions reported on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). He is known for the presentation of his research findings through lectures and book publications. Prominent books authored by the cleric include Muqaddimatu Azifa and Jawful Fara.
"Moreover, audio and video clips available in the public domain prove that the aforementioned scholars who share different views with Sheikh Abduljabbar ganged up against him in order to stop him from propagating his knowledge.
“Likewise, the inaction and views of Sheikh Abduljabbar on the Gandollar video published by the Daily Nigeria newspaper also contributed to creating political issues between the cleric and the present governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.”
In 2018, Jafar Jafar, the Publisher of Daily Nigerian released videos showing Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje receiving bribes from contractors.
The scandal is known by Nigerians as ‘Gandollar'. However, Ganduje dismissed the allegations, claiming the videos were doctored.
"People of Kano who are active on social media have witnessed a video clip where Abdullahi Umar Ganduje promises to persecute the Sheikh, and also there is another video where Ganduje is celebrating the arrest of the Sheikh," the IMN further said in the statement.
The group accused Governor Ganduje of framing the cleric.
"It is pertinent to state that the lectures of Sheikh Abduljabbar which are in the public domain and the books he authored were centred on reverence, adoration and love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
"Sheikh Abduljabbar is known by the public for propagating love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), but funny enough, Judge Ibrahim Sarki Yola convicted the Sheikh for blasphemy against the Prophet.
"We believe that the allegations and charges filed against Sheikh Abduljabbar are baseless and the court ruling delivered against him is politically motivated.
"We petition numerous organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission, the European Union, the United Nations, the Legal Aid Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Monitor, and so on," the movement added.