OTTA ATTACK: JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

14^th May, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎OTTA ATTACK: JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL - MURIC

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‎A human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has demanded justice over the vicious attack on Muslims in Oko Filling, Ijagba, Ota, Ogun State where one person is lying critically ill in hospital after sustaining matchet cuts on the head. 

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‎In a statement issued late Thursday evening, 14^th May, 2026, the Executive Director of the civil liberties organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, called on the Itele police division in Ota to rigorously pursue the case until justice prevails. 

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‎The full statement reads:

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‎"Members of Muslim communities of Oko Filling, Ijagba, Ota, Ogun State, were attacked today, Thursday, 14^th May, 2026 when they attempted to mount CCTV cameras and solar security lights at the Muslim cemetery in Oko Filling. 

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‎"The attackers came wielding dangerous weapons. They also came with two wild dogs that were barking ferociously. Their would be victims ran into the bush but one of them, Al-Hilal, was unlucky.  They caught up with him and dealt him severe blows on the head with their cutlasses. It was a horrible scene. He was drenched in his own blood. Al-Hilal is now between life and death in the hospital. 

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‎"MURIC commends the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Itele Police Station for his prompt action. All the officers at the station also deserve encomiums for their gallantry as they confronted the assailants and arrested them.

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‎"We appeal to the police to continue to perform their duties diligently. They should not allow any external forces to sweep the case under the carpet. It should be noted that human life is involved as Al-Hilal lies critically ill in the hospital.

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‎"A case of premeditated attack and assault with grievous harm must not be treated with kids' gloves. Criminally minded people must be taught the lesson of their lives.

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‎"Criminality thrives when attackers like this circumvent the rules and go scot free. These men must be prosecuted. They must face the full wrath of the law. Nigerians want to see their faces in court. On the rule of law we stand. Justice must prevail."

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‎#JusticeForAlhilal

‎#RuleOfLaw

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Founder/Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

SACK AMUPITAN FOR GOOFING ON OSUN REC - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎11^th May, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎SACK AMUPITAN FOR GOOFING ON OSUN REC - MURIC

‎‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization, has again called for the removal of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan. This will be the fourth time that the group will be calling for Amupitan's sack although for a different reason this time around.

‎‎In a statement circulated to the media on Monday, 11th May, 2026, the Executive Director of MURIC , Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused the INEC boss of professional impropriety in the way and manner the INEC resident commissioner of Osun State,  Barrister Mutiu Agboke, was replaced.

‎‎MURIC said:

‎‎"The resident electoral commissioner of Osun State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, was recently replaced by Mrs. Toyin Babalola, a retired director of INEC.

‎‎"Not long afterwards, the National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (South-West), Mr. Abayomi Arabambi, revealed that he was removed due to a petition written by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State ( https://leadership.ng/osun-governorship-arabambi-calls-for-reversal-of-recs-transfer/).

‎‎"MURIC is greatly disturbed by this revelation. We are worried that a referee in a football match  took unilateral decision over a complaint made by one side without recourse to the linesmen or the VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

‎‎"It is equally worrisome that no public explanation was given for the action. It is reckless, thoughtless and despotic. The optics presented here are suggestive of marching orders given to the chief electoral officer of a state who has been unwilling to bend principles as requested by the powers that be.

‎‎"More intriguing is the fact that the woman brought in as the replacement is a retired director of INEC who still has a court case pending. Something is definitely wrong with this procedure.

‎‎"We demand a reversal of the redeployment of the former resident electoral commissioner of Osun State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke. Apart from being motivated by partisan interest, his redeployment failed to follow due process. 

‎‎"Once again, we reiterate our demand for the sack of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as INEC boss. With the plethora of agitations  against him over his past and present misdeeds (his 80-page authorship of the Christian genocide legal brief to America, his misplaced delisting of a political party, his controversial X account, etc), it has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he is incapable of taking independent and unbiased decisions.

‎‎"Leaving the fate of more than 220 million Nigerians in the hands of such a seemingly compromised person can be likened to leaving a fully loaded aeroplane  in the hands of a carpenter who has never driven an ordinary car before, to fly hapless passengers from Congo to Moscow.

‎‎"We have not seen neutrality. INEC's pitch suffers from desertification of objectivity.  Its football field is filled with angry players and horrified spectators. It appears a carpenter is flying the INEC plane. It is high time Amupitan left. Pull the ejector button, Prof. You goofed real time."

‎‎#INEC

‎#Amupitan

‎#ReverseOsunRecTransfer

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC DEBUNKS FFK'S REJECTION BY GERMANY, THANKS TINUBU FOR REDEPLOYING HIM TO SOUTH AFRICA

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎8^th May, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎MURIC DEBUNKS FFK'S REJECTION BY GERMANY, THANKS TINUBU FOR REDEPLOYING HIM TO SOUTH AFRICA

‎‎A civil liberties organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has debunked the narrative that Germany rejected Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as an ambassador.

‎‎In a press statement issued by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Friday, 8th May, 2026, the group insisted that it was Chief Fani-Kayode who requested for reassignment. MURIC also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for graciously hearkening to the request made by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

‎‎The full statement reads:

‎‎"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed some Nigerians as ambassadors to various countries in Europe, America, Canada, etc about two months ago after Senate confirmation in December 2025.

‎‎"However, latest report reaching us indicates that one of the newly appointed ambassadors and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who was assigned to Germany ab initio, has been redeployed to South Africa (https://www.channelstv.com/2026/05/07/fani-kayode-confirms-redeployment-to-south-africa/).

‎‎"Notwithstanding the glaring facts, a media house published a fabricated version of the story by claiming that Fani-Kayode was being redeployed to South Africa because he was rejected by Germany. 

‎‎"Nothing could be more misleading. We frown upon this disparaging information which has been traced to an online magazine (https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-germany-rejects-tinubus-appointment-of-femi-fani-kayode-as-ambassador-over-rabid-ethnic-religious-slurs/).

‎‎"On the contrary, it was Chief Fani-Kayode himself who requested for reassignment.  (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/05/08/fani-kayode-i-rejected-germany-posting-chose-south-africa/).

‎‎"We believe that this wrong impression should be corrected as it is capable of bringing a brilliant lawyer, a great patriot and quintessential politician to public opprobrium. We affirm clearly, unequivocally and categorically that Germany never rejected Chief Fani-Kayode.

‎‎"As a great pan-Africanist, Chief Fani-Kayode personally chose South Africa. It was his fervent desire to serve in a country that shares some of his convictions, beliefs and values on world affairs.

‎‎"MURIC in particular has keen interest in Chief Femi Fani-Kayode because he comes across as one of the few liberal Christians in Nigeria. We see in him one of the few potential Christian presidents of Nigeria whom Nigerian Muslims will gladly accept because of his truthfulness, objectivity and acceptance of religious pluralism.

‎‎"Whereas other Christians assume that the system should be totally dominated by Christian culture, Christian values and Christian norms, Fani-Kayode has demonstrated his readiness for sharing with, caring for and loving his Muslim compatriots in a multi-religious Nigeria.

‎‎"MURIC thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for graciously hearkening to the request made by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode for redeployment to South Africa."

‎‎#FaniKayode

‎#SouthAfrica

‎#PersonalRequest

‎#ThankYouPresidentTinubu

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

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CANCEL GOMBE KANGAROO CONSENSUS - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎7^th May, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎CANCEL GOMBE KANGAROO CONSENSUS - MURIC

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‎A human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has described the consensus exercise in the search for governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State which excluded Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as a kangaroo consensus and an exercise in futility. 

‎‎In a press release issued on Thursday, 7th May, 2026 by the Executive Director of the organization, MURIC advised Gombe APC to buy into the former minister's long-time membership and leverage on his unshaken loyalty by supporting his gubernatorial candidature. 

‎‎The statement reads:

‎‎"Reports indicate that Gombe State All Progressives Congress (APC) organised a lopsided 'consensus' arrangement in the absence of, and without the knowledge of, at least one of the major contending candidates, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. 

‎‎"This is unfair, parochial, undemocratic and therefore unacceptable. A level playing field must be provided for all interested candidates in the name of fairness, justice and equity. Anything short of this is a kangaroo arrangement and an exercise in futility.

‎‎"MURIC demands the annulment of the consensus arrangement which was clandestinely, hurriedly and illegally put together on Sunday, 3rd April 2026 for several reasons.

‎‎"Firstly, political scientists agree that democracy must be participatory. But this principle was jettisoned in the Sunday exercise because not all the candidates were involved. Section 84 (2): of the Nigeria Electoral Act 2026 outlines the modes of nomination. It made it unequivocally clear that there can be no valid consensus without involving the aspirants who have obtained or completed their expression of interest and nomination forms. 

‎‎"Secondly, the incumbent, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya who is concluding his eight-year tenure, hails from the same Jekadafari Ward where the 'consensus' candidate comes from. This is an anomaly. No political party keen on unity and victory will commit such political harakiri. We must beware of protest votes from other wards, local government areas and senatorial zones in the same Gombe State.

‎‎"Thirdly, unlike Professor Pantami who has an indomitable pedigree in the party, the candidate who was picked on Sunday has been virtually in all political parties in Gombe State. Why pick a perrenial ship-jumper? When did he join the party? His choice throws questions around APC's reward system. 

‎‎"In the fourth place, conducting a concensus exercise within the party without regard for the candidature of Professor Pantami or any other candidate and their rights to vote and be voted for constitutes a blatant abridgement of the latter's Allah-given and fundamental human right as stipulated in Sections 77(2) and 117(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). 

‎‎"A fifth raison d'etre can be found in a major rule of the game. Arrival at a consensus candidate can only be valid if all cleared aspirants provide written consent to step down. If even one aspirant refuses, the party must revert to a direct primary. There is no evidence that this was done. The Gombe consensus has therefore violated due process as well as the Nigeria Electoral Act 2026.

‎‎"It is well known that Pantami has the crowd. Even the large followership in the Pantamiya movement alone is enough to score a landslide victory. With a professor in the saddle, Gombe State is on the verge of becoming the leading light in the education sector in Northern Nigeria.

"We advise Gombe APC to buy into the former minister's long-time membership and leverage on his unshaken loyalty by supporting his gubernatorial candidature. 

‎‎"Finally, we appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Gombe state executive arm of the APC to order. We call for the cancellation of the Gombe concensus exercise. We demand respect for due process and the rule of law."

‎‎#APCGombe

‎#KangarooConcensus

‎#Pantami

‎#RightToBeVotedFor

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Founder/Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

FG FAVOURS CHRISTIANS ABOVE MUSLIMS - MURIC CRIES OUT

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎1st May, 2026

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

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‎FG FAVOURS CHRISTIANS ABOVE MUSLIMS - MURIC CRIES OUT

‎‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of favouritism over the ongoing construction of a N25 billion church building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. 

‎‎In a statement published on Friday, 1st May, 2026 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the human rights group also slammed FG for giving out the sum of N2 billion to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc. 

‎‎MURIC said:

‎‎"The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have flagged off the construction of a N25 billion (25 billion naira) ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/fg-can-flag-off-n25bn-chapel-at-abuja-airport/). 

‎‎"FG should explain this preferential treatment. Nigerian Muslims deserve better than this. Tongues are wagging in the mosques. Muslim social media platforms are buzzing with frenzy over this lopsided arrangement. 

‎‎"The sum of N2 billion was also given to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc. Is this fair? (https://punchng-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/punchng.com/tinubu-okays-n2bn-relief-for-victims-of-plateau-attack/). 

‎‎"In another disturbing development, N1.2 billion was allegedly donated to all the 19 states of Northern Nigeria for the approaching 'Id al-kabir (Salah). The identity of the donor cannot be disclosed here for lack of proper reference though it is as close to FG as it's jugular vein. 

‎‎"How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, a la animal farm?

‎‎"It is interesting to note that critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket are silent over this unequal treatment of Muslims and Christians by our 'Muslim-Muslim' government. 

‎‎"So we must ask FG to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to the Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course FG must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims. 

‎‎"What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. It is our right, and our right is our right. The question is not 'if' but 'when' and the sooner the better. No excuses."

‎‎#FG

‎#25bEcumenicalChurch

‎#AnimalFarm

‎#GoodForTheGoose

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Founder/Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

EMULATE AWA IBRAHIM: MURIC TELLS WEALTHY NIGERIANS

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

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‎27^th April, 2026

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎EMULATE AWA IBRAHIM: MURIC TELLS WEALTHY NIGERIANS

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‎The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Fountain University, Dr. Awa Ibraheem, has donated a newly completed 600-seater Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub to the institution.

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‎Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has hailed Dr. Awa Ibraheem for his generous gesture. In a statement issued on Monday, 27^th April, 2026, the group urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dr.  Awa Ibraheem by supporting educational institutions.

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‎The full statement reads:

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‎"Fountain University, Oshogbo, became one giant building richer in infrastructure on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2026 when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution's Governing Council, Dr. Awa Ibraheem, donated a newly completed 600-seater Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub to the citadel of learning.

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‎"MURIC commends Dr. Awa Ibraheem for this philanthropic gesture. Although Nigerians already know the donor for his selflessness, kindness and unequalled generosity, the ICT hub in Fountain University is primus inter pareil. This infrastructure will go a long way in strengthening digital education in the institution.

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‎"We charge other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dr. Awa Ibraheem who is always prepared to give to the needy and towards meaningful development. We implore them to rise to the occasion by giving back to the society particularly by supporting educational institutions.

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‎"We advise the Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Prof. Ramota Olayinka Karim in particular and others around the country to engage in robust interaction between town and gown in order to attract funding from wealthy Nigerians."

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‎#Fountain University

‎#DrAwaIbraheem

‎#ICTHub

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

EL-RUFAI: LONG ADJOURNMENT LENDS CREDENCE TO OPPOSITION CLAIM OF POLITICAL MOTIVATION – MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎‎23^rd April, 2026

PRESS RELEASE:

‎‎EL-RUFAI: LONG ADJOURNMENT LENDS CREDENCE TO OPPOSITION CLAIM OF POLITICAL MOTIVATION – MURIC

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‎The case involving former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday adjourned till the first week of June, 2026.

‎‎Commenting on the development, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said the long adjournment lends credence to opposition claim of political motivation.

‎‎This was the crux of a statement circulated to newsmen on Thursday, 23^rd April, 2026 by the Executive Director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎The statement reads:

‎‎"The case involving former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, came up before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday, 21^st April, 2026. However, the learned judge adjourned the bail hearing to the first week of June, 2026 (https://www-channelstv-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.channelstv.com/2026/04/21/court-adjourns-el-rufais-bail-application-to-june/).

‎‎"While we respect pronouncements made in the temple of justice and we believe that the law must be allowed to follow its due process, the long adjournment of El-Rufai's case in a bailable offence lends credence to opposition claim of political motivation.

“Neither does the cassu belli put forward by the learned judge hold any water. According to NaijaNews, Justice Darius Khobo held that ‘it was in the interest of justice for the defendant to remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial’ (https://www.naijanews.com/2026/04/23/el-rufai-bail-denied/#google_vignette).

“It is on record that El-Rufai willingly presented himself to the EFCC ab initio (https://independent.ng/el-rufai-honours-efcc-invitation/). Not only that, he also went back voluntarily into custody from home without any prompting at the end of his mother’s burial rites. There was no report of any ICPC raid on his house before he went back. (vanguardngr.com/2026/03/el-rufai-back-in-icpc-custody-after-mothers-burial/).

“Above all, it will also be recalled that El-Rufai was outside the country when EFCC invited him. Instead of remaining there to seek political asylum, he elected to return home to face the charges and he notified EFCC of the date he would report. Besides, he has no past record of jumping bail. So why is he being kept in custody? (https://businessday.ng/news/article/el-rufai-to-return-to-nigeria-notify-efcc-of-monday-appearance/).

‎‎"Concerning the duration of his detention, it will be recalled that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai willingly reported himself at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 16^th February, 2026. He was transferred to the office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) three days later to face multiple charges.

‎‎"El-Rufai has therefore been in detention since Monday, 16^th February, 2026 and he had already spent approximately two months (if the number of days he spent burying his mother is removed) by 21^st April, 2026 when the learned judge denied him bail.

‎‎"By implication, El-Rufai would have spent approximately three and a half months by the time the bail application comes up again in the first week of June 2026.

‎‎"Politicians facing corruption charges in Nigeria often spend between a few days to several weeks in ICPC detention. But that of the former governor of Kaduna is now drifting into months. El-Rufai is therefore being projected as probably the longest serving detained politician going by his expected stay in custody until the first week in June, 2026.

‎‎"The question being raised in the opposition camp is what else constitutes political witch-hunt if this does not?

‎‎"We reiterate our commitment to justice running its due course but we should not be given the impression that some people can be forgotten behind bars. Democracy loses its essence where the wheels of justice are forced to run at snail speed or where they totally grind to a halt. Justice delayed is justice denied. Let El-Rufai go."

‎‎#El-Rufai       #BailableOffence     #ICPC

‎#ExpediteTrial    #JusticeDelayed    ‎#JusticeDenied

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‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).