An Upper Sharia Court in Kano on Thursday refused to grant bail to a controversial Islamic cleric, Abduljabbar Kabara, who is standing trial for blasphemy.
DAILY NIGERIAN recalls that at the last sitting, Mr Kabara’s counsel had withdrawn from the case.
The cleric now engaged the services of another team of lawyers, led by one Umar Muhammad.
At the resumed sitting on Thursday, the new counsel submitted a bail application pursuant to Section 171(2) and (3) of Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 on the ground that the defendant is the breadwinner of his family and has young children who depend on him.
“The defendant is the breadwinner of his family and also has small children who depend on him.
“If granted bail, he will not jump the bail and will produce credible sureties,” Mr Muhammad assured.
In his ruling, the trial judge, Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, rejected the bail application, saying that the rejection is in the interest of the cleric and to prevent possible breakdown of peace in the state.
“The case is a capital offence and punishable with death,” the judge said.
Mr Sarki-Yola ordered the remand of the defendant in correctional centre and adjourned the matter until October 14, for continuation of hearing.
