Kano Cleric Seeks Transfer Of Suit To Another Judge

A Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, in his ongoing trial of alleged blasphemy, on Thursday at the Upper Shari’a Court in the state, presided over by a presiding Judge, Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola,, has prayed that his case be transferred to another court.

It will be recalled that the Kano State Government charged Kabara with four counts bordering on blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on August10, Oct. 25 and Dec. 20, 2019.

When the purported matter was on Thursday called, the defence counsel Malam Dalhatu Shehu-Usman was however not in court.

However, it will also be recalled that the Presiding Judge, Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola, earlier asked the defendant why he wants his ongoing trial to be transferred to another Court.

The Cleric (defendant) then told the court that his counsel was not in court because he has written a letter to Grand Khadi of Kano State to transfer his ongoing trial to another Court.

He said,” I want the case to be transferred to another judge who has no relationship to both parties in the case”.

The Cleric informed the court that “my former lawyers forced me not to explain all what I have on my mind to defend myself well and tender all the books I have as exhibit.

Sheikh Kabara further disclosed “I also noticed that the court is not writing all what I said but only few in my defense as well as changing some things while testifying before the court was what made me decide my trial to be transferred to another Court,” the defendant said.

In his reaction, the Prosecution Counsel, Suraj Sa’eda, SAN, urged the court to order the defense counsel to appear before the court on the next adjourned date.
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Judge Sarki-Yola called on the defendant to tell his counsel to appear before the court on the next adjourned date, adding that if he wish to get a new counsel he can do so.

The Judge said “by the next adjourned date if the defence counsel Shehu-Usman does not appear in court, I will remove him from this matter,” Sarki-Yola said.

He, therefore, adjourned the matter until July 28, for the continuation of defense.