A Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara, has on Thursday told an Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Kano, that his lawyers cannot defend him in an alleged blasphemy case.
Nasiru-Kabara who is charged with four counts charge bordering on blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad committed the offence on Aug.10, Oct.25 and Dec.20, 2019.
The defendant was alleged to have made a blasphemous comment against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his marriage with Nana Safiyya in Jautul Fara, section 93 (40) and hadith 1,365 and 1,428.
The defendant told the court that he respect his lawyers and that was what made him not to earlier answer his plea when they said he should not respond.
“Since i was first arraigned before this court I knew I can defend myself, there is no lawyer that can read the authorities I have to defend myself.
” my case is on hadith not law,I will defend my self, I have 100 books with me, I, therefore, withdraw my lawyers”
At the resumed sitting, the Prosecution Counsel, Suraj Sa’eda SAN, called a 31-year-old teacher, Murtala Kabiru as the second prosecution witness(PW2) .
Kabiru,who lives at Kofar Na’isa Lungun Makera Quarters Kano, in his testimony told the court that he had known the defendant since when he was a child.
“I attended my Primary School at Mahadeen Sheik Malam Nasiru Kabara in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano, the defendant lived inside the school.
” During the school hours the defendant usually entre our classes, preach to us and we often do questions and answers”
The witness also testified that the defendant on Aug.10, Oct. 25, and Dec.20, 2019, made a blasphamous comment against Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) on his marriage with Nana Safiyya
” while conducting his preaching at his two mosques Jami’ul Assahabul Kahfi, Filin Mushe at Gwale LGA and Jami’ul Rasul at Sabuwar Gandu Kano”
Sa’eda did not object the prayer by the defense counsel to enable the defendant to cross examine the Pw2, according to section 36(6)(d) of 1999 constitution as amended.
Counsel to the defendant, Muhammad Aminu-Mika’ilu, urged the court to allow the defendant to cross examine the Pw2 himself.
On Oct.14, a 32-year-old tailor, Adamu Adamu also testified that the defendant made a blasphemous comment against Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) and his marriage with Nana Safiyya.
In his ruling, Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, said that it is either the defendant handles his case personally or allow his counsels to defend him during his trial.
“Section 336(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law(ACJL) 2019 says where a defendant is not represented by a lawyer, the defendant can cross examine a witness.
Sarki-Yola ordered the remand of the defendant in correctional centre and adjourned the matter until Nov.11, for continuation of hearing.
