Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Blasts Kano Govt For Sentencing Man To Death Over Blasphemous Remark

The leader of Jama’atu Ahlussunnah Lid Da’awati Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the sentencing of a man, who made derogatory remarks about prophet Muhammad to Death.

The Culprit identified as Yahaya Sherif Aminu was sentenced to death by hanging in Kano State for insulting the Prophet in a song he shared on WhatsApp in March.

The development has, however, sparked outrage, especially on social media, with many describing the law has barbaric and draconian hence calling for its abrogation.

Reacting to the development in an 11 minutes long audio, Shekau lambasted the state government over the verdict of death sentence.

Speaking on the appeal opportunity given to the singer, Alkali Aliyu Muhammad Kani, by the Shariah Court, Shekau said all schools Islamic jurisprudence averred that anyone who casts aspersions on the the prophet should not be given room for repentance.

The shariah Court held that Muhammad Kani could appeal the verdict within 30 days even though he did not deny the charges.

“We heard about something sad happening in the state where people think they are Muslims, even though they are practicing disbelief,” Shekau stated.

“A singer opened his mouth and uttered unkind words against the Prophet (PBUH). It was said he was arrested and sentenced to death by hanging.

“According to some people, he can appeal the judgement. But what brought this if the sentence is godly?”

“He should just be killed. If you really sentenced him, we should only hear that you slaughtered him,” he said.

Also Read: Blasphemy: Court Sentences Kano Singer To Death

Shekau added that Kano is not an Islamic State, calling it a land of infidels where democracy is practiced.

“You are not in an Islamic State. You are in the land of infidels. The only exception among you is a weak person who holds ‘Tawhid’ (monotheism). He can’t be declared as an infidel, but he is a sinner because he didn’t migrate.”

The western lifestyle of Kano people itself, according to Abubakar Shekau, is an insult to the Prophet Muhammad.

“Before he insulted the Prophet (PBUH), your lifestyle is an insult itself. Your lifestyle is also blasphemy against the Prophet. How can you say you love someone and you slap him?”

In the audio, Shekau blasted the Kano State for practicing democracy. He said the state allows everyone to do what they like.

Referring to the people of Kano, Shekau said “just because you sit down and recite Quran after you have already done what made you unbelievers? And because you say there is no god but Allah, you think you are Muslims? We tell you, you and the one who insulted the Prophet are all the same.”

This is not the first time a death sentence was passed in Kano State. Abdulaziz Inyass, who belongs  to the extremists in the Tijaniyya Sufi denomination, is still in detention after he was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2016.

Abdulaziz was accused of saying that Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, an influential cleric in West Africa, was ‘bigger than Prophet Muhammad.’