Blasphemy: Sharia court orders arrest of Imam Abdul’aziz

The Upper Sharia Court of Appeal No 1 sitting in Bauchi has issued a bench warrant on the Imam of Dutsen-Tanshi Jumma’at Mosque Dr Idris Abdul’aziz following his failure to appear before the court.

Abdul’aziz is standing trial over allegation of incitement of public disturbance of peace and blasphemy.

He was alleged to have passed blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad and some notable Dariqa clerics.

The presiding judge of the court, Hussaini Turaki, ruled that the accused, who was released on bail, be forced to appear before him during the next sitting of the court on June 5th.

The judge argued that the failure of the Imam to honour the court summons served on him amounted to contempt.

However, counsel to the Imam, Barrister Sadiq Abubakar Ilelah, attributed his client’s absence to an undisclosed ailment.

The counsel said they filed a motion asking the court to give them another chance for their client to appear in the next trial saying which the judge.

Prosecuting counsel, Aliyu bn Idris explained that the case was transferred from Magistrate Court number 1 to Upper Shariah Court of Appeal number 1 to start the case afresh.

The case was adjourned to Monday, June 5, 2023.