There is growing tension on the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School as some hardline Muslim students insisted that strict measures be taken against a suspected blasphemer in line with the school’s rules.
On Sunday DAILY NIGERIAN reported how the student blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad in a WhatsApp post he shared in different groups on campus.
The student’s action drew the ire of the Muslim students and threw the campus into confusion.
The blasphemer has however issued apology on Monday, saying he only forwarded the message without reading.
But a Muslim student who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Rule 3 (5) of the Code of Conduct for the Nigerian Law School clearly stipulates “Expulsion” as punishment for incitement or “forcing against the will of others”.
“It is our unanimous submission therefore that the student in question forced against our will by spreading contemptuous and blasphemous statements against our own Prophet.
“These laws were put in place for instances like these. All we are asking for is that the school management should invoke the appropriate legal provisions in its Codes to bring the perpetrator to book,” he said.
When our reporter called Tijjani Nasiru, the head of the school and Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, he declined comment on the matter, saying he was in a meeting.
“I am in a meeting, I cant talk now,” he said and hung up.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered he matter is currently under investigation as the management is consulting with the two sides.
“We hope and pray that the matter would not be swept under the carpet. Injustice and arbitrariness have always been the cause of break of law and order in this country. We vowed to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” another member of the Muslim Students Society said, noting that “apology is not commensurate as punishment with the deliberate act of provocation.”
Although the police still patrol the campus, spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Chike Oti, said the situation had been brought under control.
“Everything is under control at the moment. The Bar Beach DPO went to the school and spoke to the authorities before addressing the Muslim and Christian communities.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal has directed that a manhunt be launched for the culprits behind the blasphemous publication.
“The CP also warned that no individual or group would be allowed to jeopardize the religious harmony in the state,” Mr Oti, a chief superintendent of police, added.
