Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano State, has said he would not hesitate to sign the execution warrant of the singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Shari’a Court in the state.
Thirty-year-old Aminu was sentenced to death by the Court following his conviction of blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The remarks were contrary to Section 382 (b) of the Kano State Penal Code Law 2000.
Ganduje declared this at a stakeholder meeting on the issue at the Government House, Kano.
“Kano State Government has accepted the judgement passed by the Sharia Court and it has also accepted the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said.
The governor declared that the convicted singer had a 30-day grace to appeal the judgement, and noted that it the singer failed to appeal by the of the 30 days, he would not waste time to sign the execution order.
“If the 30 days elapsed and the convict has not appealed, and there is no evidence that he had appealed, I will not waste time in signing the warrant for the execution of the man who blasphemed our Holy Prophet of Islam.
“Lawyers just told us that the case could go up to the Supreme Court. So if that happens, I will not waste time to abide by the verdict right away,” he said.
The governor also lamented that the issue of blasphemy was taking to its toll in recent times, stressing that the government would not rest on its oars until it fully addressed the menace.
He commended the ulamas for their commitment to ensure the culprit was punished accordingly.
He also commended security agencies for being up and doing to avert possible breach of the peace or break down of law and order during the height of the issue.
In their separate remarks, the Islamic clerics said they were 100 per cent in support of the governor to sign the death warrant as it is the only way forward for any abuse against the prophet.
In their separate remarks, some Islamic clerics fully supported the governor to sign the death warrant. The clerics representing different sects, described the action as the only way forward to avert future occurrence, adding it would serve as deterrent to others.
They also urged the governor not to be distracted by activities of the human rights organisations, stressing that Islam had outlined clear punishment against any person that committed blasphemy.
Aminu Gadanya, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state, said the association had supported the judgement, in view of the fact that the trial was based on the provisions of the law and fair hearing. He noted that the judgement was done within the jurisdiction of the Court while the convict has the right to appeal.
Also speaking, Muhammad Garba, Chairman, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), in the state, said the association supported governor’s stand on approving the judgement.
Garba said the Court convicted the man under Section 382 (b) of the Kano state Penal Code Law 2000, adding that even the supreme court had upheld the death penalty for blasphemy On his part, Ahmad Magaji, the Controller, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) in the state, confirmed that the convict was in its custody, saying that no lawyer had so far indicated interest to assist him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Court on Aug. 10 convicted the man for blasphemy and sentenced him to death by hanging.
The meeting was attended by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Ahmad, heads of security DSS, Islamic clerics and representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
