*Tells what punishment awaits groups using its name to perpetrate illegalities
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The apex Islamic body in the country, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has said that it has no branches at states and Local Government Areas, especially in the South West.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Council said that, any such groups that parade themselves at those levels using the NSCIA’s name are fraudstars, illegal and should be treated as criminals under the laws.
This was handed down in a statement by Alhaji Femi Abbas, Chairman, NSCIA Media Committee, and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.
The statement said, “It has come to the notice of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the Council’s President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, that some charlatans claiming to be Muslim scholars/clerics, have been parading themselves as leaders of Nigerian Supreme for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in some States, especially in the South West of Nigeria.
“Through the use of that nomenclature, such charlatans, are said to be clandestinely affiliating themselves to certain political demagogues for the purpose of gaining personal benefits.”
The Council, making its declarations, explained its structures with clear picture of how it administers affairs of the mosques and other Islamic Organisations in the country through constituted authorities of State Muslim Communities or Council.
The DEFENDER reports that there are the Muslim Community of Oyo State, the Ondo State Muslim Community, the Lagos State Muslim Council and others across the South West, each of which is duly headed by specified leadership which reports to the NSCIA at the national level. In Lagos State, the council is permanently headed by the Chief Imam of Lagos.
“As the apex body for the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) hereby officially declares as follows:
“1. That the NSCIA has no branches at the State level and no group or Association is authorized to bear that duly registered name in any State.
“2. That the Muslim Communities in any State in Nigeria, which legally form the components of NSCIA are either called State Muslim Council or State Muslim Community by name and such State Councils or Communities must have duly registered with the apex body and recognized as members of the NSCIA.
“3. That Any group that uses Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) as its name or parades itself as such at the State level, should be considered as a fraudster that can be legally treated as a criminal.
“4. That the public should therefore disregard any such group as an impersonator or fraudulent impostor that should be reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action
“5. That the State and Local governments throughout the country, as well as Muslim Organizations and corporate bodies should take note of this public information.
“6. That this message should be disseminated to all Muslim stakeholders in all States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory through the Social Media or any other means,” the statement signed by Alhaji Femi Abbas said.
