DON’T DEMOLISH TAKUM CENTRAL MOSQUE, TARABA – MURIC

 

16^th October, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

DON’T DEMOLISH TAKUM CENTRAL MOSQUE, TARABA – MURIC  

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State against demolishing the Takum Central Mosque in Takum local government council of the state.

 

MURIC sounded the warning in a statement issued on Wednesday, 16^th October, 2024. The statement was signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

It reads:

 

“The governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has revealed that he plans to demolish the Takum Central Mosque in Takum Local Government Council of the state. The engineer fingered to handle the demolition (from SCC Construction Nig. Ltd) was seen with some Chamba militia on Thursday, 10^th October, 2024 pegging the Takum Central Mosque.

 

“There is no iota of doubt that Governor Agbu Kefas is trying to deceive the Muslim community of Taraba. He told them on Monday, 14^th October, 2024 that ‘the proposed demolition of the Central Mosque in Takum local government council of the state is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting development and improving the welfare of the Muslim community’ (http://opr.news/4f62e6c9241014en_ng?link=1&client=news).

 

“Who is going to believe that? It is mere political statement. He can say that to the marines. Agbu Kefas should try harder. What has been the fate of Muslims in his state? What remedy has he provided for the Muslims regarding the tortuous policy of religious cleansing which was aggressively pursued by his predecessor, Darius Ishaku? (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/muric-accuses-taraba-govt-of-trampling-on-fundamental-rights-of-muslims/).

 

“By the way, is he going to build another mosque for the Muslim Community? He has been silent on this. Agbu cannot be trusted. The whole idea of demolishing the mosque is a smokescreen for total clampdown on the spread of Islam in Takum Local Government in particular and in Taraba State in general.

 

 

“We are taking note of those who demolish our mosques. The current governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, may be enlisted if he goes ahead to demolish our ancient mosque which was built as far back as 1912.

 

“Nyesome Wike, current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is already on the list. He demolished Trans-Amadi Mosque, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, 20^th August, 2019 (https://dailypost.ng/2019/08/26/islamic-organization-attacks-gov-wike-demolishing-port-harcourt-mosque/). Make no mistake about it. We do not forget such acts of wickedness committed against Muslims.

 

“A time will come when these Muslim-haters will want to aspire for higher political posts. That is when Nigerian Muslims will deflate their ego. They will need our votes but we will deny them.

 

“We are equally taking note of those who undermine the progress of Islam, those who marginalize Muslims, those who oppress them and those who subject Muslims to humiliation, intimidation, suppression and repression.

 

“We are watching governors of the South-West who play a tyrannical game of political exclusivity against Muslims by giving almost all political posts to their Christian brethren. We will deny them at the right time. Politics should be a game of give and take.

 

“In particular, the current governor of Oyo State stands deprived of honour for falsely engraving his name on the Adogba Central Mosque after demolishing and rebuilding it without providing evidence that the mosque was rebuilt with his personal money. That was fraudulent.

 

“The dividends of democracy should be shared among the citizens but there must be consequences when you give more than 80% to Christians where Muslims are the majority in population. None of such governors will enjoy the endorsement of Nigerian Muslims if they should dare to seek higher posts in future. Many receive advice, only the wise profit by it.”

 

#GovernorAgbuKefas

#LeaveTakumCentralMosqueAlone

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC COMMENDS APPEAL COURT OYO JUDGES FOR UPHOLDING SANCTITY OF ISLAMIC MARRIAGE

 

14^th October, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC COMMENDS APPEAL COURT OYO JUDGES FOR UPHOLDING SANCTITY OF ISLAMIC MARRIAGE

 

The Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal has received kudos from the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for upholding the sanctity of marriages conducted under Islamic law. The human rights organization commended the judges who presided over a divorce case in which a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court attempted to dissolve a marriage contracted according to Islamic law.

 

The appellate court declared that no customary court anywhere in Nigeria has the jurisdiction to determine a case involving an Islamic marriage or the custody of children of an Islamic marriage. MURIC described the judgement as a landmark decision and an unprecedented eye-opener for Nigerian Muslims.

 

The group spoke on Monday, 14^th October, 2024 via a statement issued by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

“The attempt by a Muslim woman to dissolve her Islamic marriage in a customary court has failed. Although the marriage was conducted more than twenty years ago, the wife instituted suit No. OY/CCGA/IBN/5WD/2021 in a customary court for dissolution when it became clear that things were not working as expected.

 

“Not satisfied, the husband objected on the ground that their union was originally contracted as an Islamic marriage. His lawyer argued that a customary court had no jurisdiction to dissolve an Islamic marriage. But the customary court was determined to hear the case. The lower Customary Court ruling was delivered in favour of the woman on 26^th August 2021.

 

“Dissatisfied, the husband instituted suit No. CCA/1/22/2022 at the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Ibadan, which ruled in favour of the husband on Monday, 8^th April, 2024.

 

“Counsel to the wife attempted to convince the court that the marriage was held in Yoruba traditional fashion, therefore the Grade A Customary Court had jurisdiction to hear the case. But the husband’s counsel contended that it was an Islamic marriage and supported his argument by presenting the marriage certificate which was written in Arabic (Exhibit ‘D’) and translated into English (Exhibit ‘E’).

 

“The Court considered the translated text of the marriage certificate which reads thus, ‘In Islam marriage is a contract. It is formalized with the consent of a guardian, payment of sadaq (dowry) and in the presence of witnesses. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our leader Muhammad (SAW) who says, ‘Marriage is my tradition and whoever disregards it is not of me.’ This marriage is conducted in line with the Sunnah of Allah and His Prophet in the presence of a group of Muslims. It is held at (venue withheld to protect the identity of litigants),’

 

“The court inspected the marriage certificate, particularly the signatures of the husband, the wife, the wife’s father, representative of the husband’s father, the Imam and that of the Chief Missioner. The Islamic certificate was dated 2^nd March, 2002.

 

“In particular, the learned judges sought to resolve the question whether the Customary court by the law establishing it has the power to determine cases involving Islamic marriage.

 

“The court relied heavily on Section 14(2) of the Customary Court Law 2018, which gives unlimited jurisdiction to customary courts in cases and matters between persons married under customary law as well as custody of children of couples married under customary law.

 

“The court interpreted this section of the Customary Court Law 2018 by citing the rule of ‘expressio unis exclusio alterius’ i.e. the mention of only one thing of a class means the silent exclusion of all other things of the class. The statue by mentioning marriages conducted under customary system as the special jurisdiction of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts has excluded marriages conducted according to Islamic law.

 

“The court therefore ruled that Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts have no jurisdiction to entertain cases concerning Islamic marriage and matters relating to the custody of children of an Islamic marriage. To arrive at this conclusion, the court relied on cases determined in like manner by the Court of Appeal in Mandara Vs Amin (2004), Usman Vs Kareem (2006) and AbdusSamad Vs Abdullahi (2015).

 

“The decision of the Court of Appeal in these cases is that where a plaintiff’s claim is purely a matter of Islamic personal law, no High Court in Nigeria is saddled with the jurisdiction to hear and determine the claims.

 

“This is indubitably a landmark pronouncement and an unprecedented eye-opener for Nigerian Muslims, particularly those of the Southern part of the country. Many Muslim marriages have been wrongly dissolved while the children involved in those marriages had their Allah-given fundamental rights infringed upon as they were wrongfully given out.

 

“MURIC commends the judges of the Customary Court of Appeal for their boldness, erudition and deep research. The depth of analysis exhibited showed their commitment to the naked truth and objectivity. They deserve generous encomiums for upholding the sanctity of marriages conducted under Islamic law.

 

“But a dilemma has emerged with the court rulings. If customary courts have no jurisdiction to try cases involving Islamic marriage and the custody of children emanating from such marriage; if even the high courts cannot adjudicate in matters affecting Islamic marriage due to its nature as personal law, which court can Muslims go for family civil matters like divorce, inheritance, child custody, etc, particularly in the whole of Southern Nigeria where there is no single Shariah court?

 

“This case has exposed the weakness in the judicial system as practiced in Southern Nigeria. By failing or by refusing to provide Shariah courts, the state governments of Southern Nigeria (South-West, South-East, and South-South), have ostracized Muslim families in the region from the judicial system. Yet these states pride themselves as being upright in their practice of democracy. But can there be democracy in an exclusive system?”

 

#CourtsKeepOffIslamicMarriages

#WantedShariahCourts

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

WITHDRAW OYEDEPO AIRSTRIP LICENCE – MURIC

 

11^th October, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

WITHDRAW OYEDEPO AIRSTRIP LICENCE – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has kicked against the licence given to Bishop David Oyedepo for an airstrip. The group argued that it was a dangerous precedent particularly in a nation ridden with religious crises and large-scale insecurity. It therefore demanded the withdrawal of the licence. The group also called on the National Assembly (NASS) to wade into the matter.

 

The demand for the withdrawal of the licence was made in a press statement issued on Friday, 11^th October, 2024 by the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads:

 

“The Federal Government (FG) confirmed two days ago that it has granted a licence to build an airstrip to Bishop David Oyedepo of Canaanland, also known as Winners Chapel or Living Faith Church (https://punchng.com/fg-confirms-oyedepos-canaanland-airstrip-approval/).

 

“We strongly condemn this action. It is not only reckless and thoughtless, it is also insensitive and provocative. It is a dangerous precedent. This should not be happening in a multi-religious society laden with religious crises and large-scale insecurity. This licence must be revoked with immediate effect. It is interesting to note that the licence is already generating controversy because it is a threat to national security.

 

“Going down memory lane, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was caught in South Africa with a plane loaded with cash amounting to $9.3 million. He admitted to the South African authorities that the money was meant for the purchase of arms (https://saharareporters.com/2014/09/15/arms-smuggling-jet-caught-10million-south-africa-linked-can-president-ayo-oritsejafor; https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/168224-can-president-oritsejafor-admits-ownership-of-cash-stacked-jet-seized-in-south-africa.html?tztc=1).

 

“Official coverup was later provided by the Jonathan-led administration when the government of the day claimed that FG was aware of the arms deal (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/fg-defends-9-3m-cash-seized-s-africa-releases-data-transaction/).

 

“There must be more to this than meets the eye. Ayo Oritsejafor was the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) when he was caught with this money in South Africa. His firebrand leadership style caused ripples in the country as religious controversies rented the air.

 

“Besides, Oritsejafor was not alone in his private jet when he was caught. There was an Israeli citizen with him (https://saharareporters.com/2014/11/23/revealed-nigerians-aboard-pastor-oritsejafors-jet-smuggled-93-million-south-africa). It becomes interesting if we connect this with FG’s interest in contracting Israelis as security advisers in Aso Rock. These are the same Israelis presently committing genocide in Gaza and rebuffing the United Nations.

 

“Granting Bishop Oyedepo licence to build an airstrip is an open invitation to the Israeli Mossad to fly in directly to abduct Muslims and disappear at will. Forceful rendition of Muslims from the streets to Western countries has been a common practice for some time now but this development may exacerbate it.

 

“This airstrip will expose Nigerian Muslims to danger. Foreign mercenaries may land at the airstrip from outside Nigeria to commit atrocities and leave from there undetected. The destiny of Nigeria should not be placed in the hands of a single religious group.

 

“Coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists, we must agree that Nigeria is not ripe for this type of licence for a religious leader to build a private airstrip. We all know that Nigerians practice acrobatic religiousity instead of religion per se. Many Nigerians bid farewell to reason a long time ago, particularly in matters of faith.

 

“Nigeria would probably have been up in flames if this kind of licence had been given to a Muslim, say, Shaykh Ahmad Gumi whom some Muslim-haters love to hate. That is why we are wondering why social analysts, commentators and human rights lawyers and activists have elected to adopt a strange culture of silence over the Oyedepo airstrip imbroglio.

 

“We charge Nigerians to rise as one in condemning this misadventure. Let us eschew sentiments and address the issue objectively. FG misfired big time this time around. It is gross miscalculation to favour one religion out of three. Discrimination and favouritism can only widen the gap between Nigerians.

 

“We urge the National Assembly to bring sanity to this ugly development. Parliamentary intervention by the possessors of political acumen is sometimes what we need to unravel administrative sophistry. Nigeria needs the wisdom of its lawmakers to pull it out of this abyss of self-immolation. There may also be need for Nigerian lawmakers to revisit the Oritsejafor arms cash saga.

 

“We call on Nigerian Muslims to apply caution, decorum and rationalism in their reactions to this development. We advise them to remain law abiding.

 

“As we take a break, we invite FG to revoke the licence given to Bishop Oyedepo to build an airstrip. This is necessary in order to restore the confidence of Nigerian Muslims in the system, ensure impartiality and bridge the wide gap of mutual suspicion between Christians and Muslims. This airstrip poses grave danger to national security.”

 

#RevokeOyedepoAirstripLicence

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

ALLEGATION AGAINST SENATOR BUBA POLITICALLY MOTIVATED – MURIC

 

9^th October, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLEGATION AGAINST SENATOR BUBA POLITICALLY MOTIVATED – MURIC

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has vouched for Senator Shehu Umar Buba. The group said the allegation made against him should be ignored because it is politically motivated.

 

MURIC spoke on Wednesday, 9^th October, 2024 through its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said:

 

“The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, recently wrote a petition to the presidency accusing the senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Umar Buba, of sponsoring banditry.

 

“This allegation is false, malicious, baseless and without any credibility whatsoever. Egged on by a totalitarian propensity and a luciferous passion, the petitioner went all out to pin the most hated trending crime in the country on a hardworking political rival and member of an opposition party in his state. This accusation is ludicrous, odious, odorous and insidious.

 

“We are persuaded to interrogate the motive behind the petition. Governor Bala is in his second term in office. Nigerian governors are in the habit of wanting to remain politically relevant after serving their two terms by becoming senators. Our findings have proved that the governor is from the same senatorial district as Senator Buba. He may therefore consider Senator Buba as someone standing between him and his senatorial ambition if he nurses one.

 

“MURIC has known Senator Shehu Buba since 2013 (eleven years ago). He comes across as a young politician with the passion of the founding fathers of Nigeria. He is an embodiment of honesty, credibility and integrity. He loves his country with incredible passion and he has made immense sacrifices for this in the past. When it comes to proficiency, Senator Shehu Umar Buba is primus inter pareil.

 

“The sense of commitment with which he takes risks for his country is amazing. So is his flair for encouraging non-governmental organisations to engage in actions capable of inspiring hardwork, patriotism, transparency and accountability among young Nigerians. Such a man cannot empathise with talk less of sponsoring bandits. It is simply laughable. This allegation exists only in the figment of the imagination of the petitioner.

 

“MURIC appeals to the Presidency and the Senate to ignore this allegation. In particular, we urge members of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence to see the false allegation as deliberately crafted to erode their confidence in Senator Shehu Buba. That is why it was designed to don the distinguished senator in the garb of a security threat.

 

“We call on Nigerians to dismiss the allegation against the distinguished senator. Those who have interacted with him personally have found him to be well educated, highly polished, morally upright, very competent and highly intelligent.

 

“Bala Muhammed was born on Sunday, 5^th October 1958. In comparison, Shehu Buba was born on Saturday, 2^nd October, 1976. We have before us a 66 years old governor trying to destroy the political career of a 48 years old senator. This is a good example of how old politicians have been destroying the young ones. This is profiling. It is witch-hunting. What happened to ‘Not Too Young To Rule’?

 

“Before we pull the curtains, we assert clearly, unequivocally and emphatically, that this allegation is another manifestation of the Satanic pull-him-down-syndrome (PhD). It is as simple as giving a dog a bad name in order to kill it. This kind of evil must not be allowed in a God-fearing society. We cannot afford to sacrifice excellence on the altar of mediocrity. Shehu Buba needs the presidency’s protection.”

 

#Presidency

#LeaveShehuBubaAlone

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

BUHARI DEFEATED BOKO HARAM, NOT JONATHAN - MURIC

 

8^th October, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

BUHARI DEFEATED BOKO HARAM, NOT JONATHAN - MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has waded into the controversy surrounding the truth about the Nigerian president who defeated Boko Haram. The group affirmed that it was ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, not his predecessor, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

This position was taken in a press statement issued on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Islamic human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

 

"It is no longer news that the issue of who actually defeated Boko Haram between two former presidents, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan has become a debate. Senator Ali Ndume had earlier credited Jonathan with the feat, but he has been contradicted by Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to Buhari who contended that it was his former boss who brought Boko Haram to its knees.

 

"We are miffed by Senator Ali Ndume's fairy tale about Jonathan defeating Boko Haram. It is an attempt to twist the facts of history. The reality is that Jonathan more or less allowed the Boko Haram insurgency to fester beyond control by refusing to act at the right time and by diverting funds meant to purchase weapons to fight the insurgents. 

 

"History is a continuum. It does not forget. Today was born from the wombs of yesterday and both time measurements remain connected and protected by historiography, their lines criss-crossing as they rise and fall. 

 

"History recalls how former President Goodluck Jonathan released a whooping sum of $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the military fighting insurgency in the North East to his party men. The dirty deal was leaked in 2016. (https://punchng.com/cd-demands-jonathan-prosecution-over-2-1bn-arms-funds-diversion/).

 

“The result was catastrophic. Boko Haram fighters soon outgunned Nigerian soldiers and the latter were forced to take to their heels on several occasions. It is on record, at least, that 315 Nigerian soldiers fled to neighbouring Niger when confronted by Boko Haram fighters at Malam Fatori, a Borno town in November 2014 (https://allafrica.com/stories/201411100846.html). This situation lasted till the last days of Jonathan in office. It was Buhari who reversed it. 

 

“A CNN report by Nic Robertson, a senior international correspondent, published on 15^th January, 2015 under the caption ‘Nigerian Military Disorganised, Underequipped in Battle Against Boko Haram’ revealed how a Nigerian soldier was left on the battlefield after his comrades fled in the face of Boko Haram attack (https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/15/africa/nigeria-military-families-boko-haram/index.html)

 

"History is forever insulated from amnesia. Its dark lanes still recollect the abduction of 276 Chibok school girls from their school hostel on the night of 14th April, 2014. Those girls could have been rescued if early efforts had been made but Jonathan delayed action for about 19 days playing the cynic. (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/jonathan-rejected-uk-offer-rescue-chibok-girls-says-guardian-london/).

 

"So how can anyone turn around to tell Nigerians that Jonathan defeated Boko Haram? On the contrary, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari energised the army and motivated them. Huge amounts of money was spent on the military and Buhari’s defence allocation hit five trillion naira (https://punchng.com/buharis-defence-allocations-hit-n5tn-over-11420-nigerians-killed-in-six-years/#google_vignette.)

 

“There was regular recruitment into the army. Sophisticated weapons, including F-16 fighter planes were bought from America and the game changed. It was now the turn of Boko Haram to flee at the approach of fearless Nigerian soldiers. Six Super Tucano jets bought by Buhari from the US were the last nails in the coffin of Boko Haram (https://punchng.com/buhari-to-induct-newly-acquired-tucano-jets-tuesday/).

 

“According to Aviacon, 32 fighter jets purchased by the Buhari administration elevated Nigeria to the level of the military super power in Africa (https://aviacon.ru/en/presstsentr/mediagalereya/32_fighter_jets_purchased_by_buhari_administration_affirms_nigeria_as_military_super_power_in_africa).

 

"It is therefore crystal clear who defeated Boko Haram. Buhari remains the hero. He was the president who ensured that funds meant for the military was not diverted elsewhere. He ascertained that sophisticated weapons were purchased and troops were adequately motivated."

 

#BuhariNotJonathan

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).