Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to human rights lawyer, Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, demanding a full retraction of what he described as "defamatory and inciting" allegations. The cleric warned that failure to comply would result in immediate legal action for defamation and incitement capable of disturbing national peace.
In a formal statement released on Thursday, Sheikh Gumi insisted that Omirhobo's public comments were not only false but also intended to damage his hard-earned reputation. He further stated that such remarks could inflame religious tensions in a country already struggling with insecurity and division. Gumi demanded an unreserved public apology to correct the misleading impression created by the lawyer's statements.
The controversy began when Chief Omirhobo published a press release titled "Terrorism Apology Is a Crime: Government Must Investigate and Prosecute Sheikh Ahmad Gumi." In the publication, the Lagos-based lawyer accused the cleric of "defending and justifying terrorists who are maiming, killing, kidnapping, raping, and displacing innocent Nigerians."
Omirhobo supported his claims by referencing several legal authorities, including the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, the Criminal Code Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. He urged the government to launch an urgent investigation into Gumi's alleged statements and take appropriate action.
Reacting strongly, Gumi described the accusations as a deliberate attempt to misrepresent his peace efforts and portray him as a supporter of crime. He maintained that his engagements with bandits were aimed at finding peaceful resolutions, not defending criminal activities.
The unfolding tension between the cleric and the human rights lawyer has drawn public attention, raising debates over the limits of free speech, the rule of law, and the fine line between advocacy and defamation in Nigeria's democratic space.
Source: