An Upper Sharia court in Kano, has sentenced popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabar Kabara, to death by hanging.
Kabara was convicted on Thursday, after Khadi Ibrahim Sarki Yola, found him guilty of blasphemy.
“This Honorable court is convinced that the prosecution counsels had proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt, thereafter, the court has convicted the defendant of all the charges levelled against him, hence, sentenced him to death by hanging”, the court ruled.
Earlier, during the court session, Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Aminu Ado Abubakar, had prayed the court to accord Kabara leniency.
But Sheikh Kabara told the court he did not know the lawyer who claimed to be his counsel.
“I do not know him. This is the first time I am seeing him. He should not be allowed to speak on my behalf. I can and should be allowed to speak for myself”, he said.
The trial judge, however, responded that the lawyer is recognised by the court as the defence counsel.
Kabara then vehemently stated: “My lord, after I heard how you twisted all my evidence, you turned around all my submissions upside down, you have assigned words to me that I have never uttered.
“Deliver your judgement, and I am not asking for leniency at all. I want all my followers to know that I will die a hero and I don’t want you (the judge) Ibrahim Sarki Yola to do me any favour or grant me leniency. This is my last word. Assalamu Alaikum.”
