*Condemns use of falsehood to justify CAN’s criminalities in state
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
He pointed out that no judgement was outstanding in Kwara over schools ownership and use of hijab in Kwara State, adding that Kwara CAN lost its case in 2016 at Ilorin High Court and lost for the second time in the Court of Appeal in 2019.
The Kwara State Muslim Ummah has condemned “in totality the use of falsehood, tissues of lies and fabrications by some religious bodies and individuals” to fight illegal course in suppressing hijab wearing female Muslim students, describing it as irreligious, shameful and un-Godly.
Calling on the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Usman Baba Alkali, the Ummah warned that murder and persecution of Muslim students in schools in the over 80 percent Muslim populated state, without police doing anything to it, is unsettling its members.
Reacting to a press release by CAN Kwara State chapter on the criminal and murderous acts committed in Oyun Baptist Grammar School, Ijagbo, last Thursday, the Kwara State Muslim Ummah stated that thugs were used by agents of CAN to kill and maim innocent Muslim parents, guardians and students at school on the said day.
This was contained in a statement issued in Ilorin, the state capital Tuesday, by Sheikh Abu Sheriff, Islamic scholar and member of Kwara State Muslim Ummah, dated Tuesday 8 February, 2022, copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.
The Ummah described as provocative and falsehood, the statement by Kwara CAN that it had no agreement with the State Government on ‘the use of hijab in their schools”, adding that the schools being claimed by Kwara CAN are public schools owned KWSG and run with tax-payers money!
According to the Ummah, instead of using criminal activities to contest ownership with the state government, Kwara CAN should pursue legally their cause in the court of law.
It said the Christian Association of Nigeria, as a religious body, should not have made Oyun Baptist High School Ijagbo their next battle ground, “after failing woefully in the court of law”, describing CAN’s criminal activities as unpatriotic, irreligious and condemnable.
In the statement, Sheikh Abu Sheriff, speaking on behalf of the organization, warned Kwara CAN to stop disturbing the public peace by causing trouble in the state.
“Instead of using the civilised and legal means to pursue its illegal cause, CAN should pursue its case in the Supreme Court (if any)”, the organization maintained.
Sheikh Abu Sheriff, who doubles as the Chief Missioner of Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria in Kwara State, questioned the falsehood being spread by Kwara CAN that courts were yet to deliver judgement on its suits filed since 2013.
He pointed out that no judgement was outstanding in Kwara over schools ownership and use of hijab in Kwara State, adding that Kwara CAN lost its case in 2016 at Ilorin High Court and lost for the second time in the Court of Appeal in 2019.
The organization stated that, the state government stands on the rule of law by reopening the 10 public schools being claimed by Kwara CAN in Ilorin, as the Court of Appeal in its judgement described Kwara CAN as ‘medulous interloper’, who had no business in claiming any of the schools under reference, as such a body is unknown to the law.
“Members of the public should recall that in 1976 when the schools were handed-over to the State Governments by the Missions nothing like CAN existed in Kwara State and Nigeria by then. The court ruled that ‘what you do not own, cannot be claimed’ the Kwara Muslim Ummah stated. It is therefore misleading and fraudulent for Kwara CAN to state that no judgement had been delivered.
“Having re-opened 10 Public Schools in Ilorin bearing the names of their Former owners based on the Courts judgements with female muslim students using hijab, it is unpatriotic and irresponsible of any group or individuals under whatever guise to turn OBHS Ijagbo to battle-field for fresh crisis, the Organization stated.
“Kwara Muslim Ummah also criticised the Kwara State Government for allowing criminals to take control of Kwara at OBHS where dangerous weapons were freely used to injure innocent Muslim parents and students at Ijagbo – warning that perpetrators of crimes must face the law otherwise the consequences of State Government inability to enforce the law and its circular on freedom of worship and movement would backfire on them,” he said.
The organization said further that it had warned the KWSG over three weeks ago, when some miscreants were turning back Muslim students from the gate of the school but tHat the government did nothing until the thugs sponsored by CAN invaded the School.
While appealing for peace and calm, the organization said it awaited without further delay the arrest and prosecution of criminals that committed murder and maiming of innocent parents and students in the School adding that Kwara State Police Command demonstrated bias, incompetence and ineffectiveness in the whole saga.
“It would interest the general public to know that apart from Mal. Habib Idris that was mercilessly killed by rampaging thugs of Kwara CAN, several muslims numbering about 15 were seriously wounded and up till now the Kwara State Police Commissioner Mr, Tuesday Assayamoh has refused to talk to the Press in a crisis that recorded casualty.”
The Kwara State Muslim Ummah therefore called on the Inspector General of Police to take necessary action without further delay as Muslims, who constitute more than 80 percent of Kwara State population, cannot be so humiliated, persecuted and terrorised in the manner CAN has done without the police doing the needful.
