ABUJA – A group of Islamic preachers from Africa, operating under the banner of the Conference of Islamic Preachers in Africa (CIPA), along with the Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), a well-known peace advocacy and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), have jointly submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS). They are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Muktar Durum Zander, a prominent Islamic preacher based in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This demand stems from his recent controversial remarks targeting Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
In a viral video that circulated in July and August 2023, Sheikh Muktar Durum insinuated that General Christopher Musa played a significant role in the decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene militarily in Niger after a coup d’état seized control of the nation. The Nigerian Defence Chief had officially announced ECOWAS’s resolution to employ military force to restore Niger’s deposed civilian government, led by President Mohammed Bazoum, during a meeting of ECOWAS Defence Chiefs in Abuja.
However, the Kaduna-based preacher took a critical stance against this decision, suggesting that General Musa was behind ECOWAS’s intervention in Niger. Sheikh Muktar Durum went so far as to imply that General Musa’s intentions were malicious towards the Muslim community, sparking outrage and concern among various quarters.
CIPA and GOPRI, in a joint petition dated August 25th, issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police, urging the swift arrest and subsequent prosecution of Sheikh Muktar Durum Zander for his remarks that are deemed to be hate speech. The petition warned of potential legal action if law enforcement agencies failed to act within the given timeframe. The petition, prepared by legal representatives Daniel Obla Esq., O.T. Lukden (MRS), and A.K Shafii of the Obla Daniels & CO law firm, emphasized the urgency of curbing such statements to maintain peace both nationally and internationally.
In their petition addressed to the IGP and DG DSS in Abuja, the collective organizations highlighted the potential for Sheikh Muktar Durum’s comments to undermine regional peacekeeping efforts. The preacher’s message, which portrayed ECOWAS’s intervention as a Christian-led war against fellow Muslims in Niger, raised concerns about its impact on social harmony and stability.
The legal representatives informed the IGP and DG DSS that their clients had instructed them to take legal measures if no action was taken within the stipulated seven-day window. This would be pursued to compel the proper execution of administrative functions in accordance with the law.
Describing themselves as “peace advocacy and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that promote peace and humanitarian actions,” the petition stated:
“We serve as counsel for the Conference of Islamic Preachers in Africa (CIPA) and the Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), collectively referred to as ‘Our Clients.’ Our Clients are peace advocacy and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that promote peace and humanitarian action.”
The petition further explained the context of the remarks made by Sheikh Muktar Durum Zander and highlighted their potential to incite discord and mislead public perception.
As the nation awaits the response of the law enforcement agencies to this petition, the controversy surrounding Sheikh Muktar Durum’s statements continues to raise questions about responsible communication and the delicate balance between freedom of expression and maintaining social harmony.
