Al-Mustapha drags Sheikh Khalil to court •Over defamation of character

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil has been dragged to a Sharia court by former chief security officer to the late head of state, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha,for alleging that Al-Mustapha was contracted to recruit snipers who would kill 1000 Nigerians in connection with 2015.

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The dafamation of character case  against the Islamic preacher, slated for hearing at the Upper Shariah Court, Daura Road, Kaduna on Wednesday, was not heard because the presiding judge, Malam Mustapha Umar, was absent.The case was, however, adjourned to May 22,2014.
The presence of combat-ready soldiers, a combined team of police and other security agents near the court premises, caused fear and tension in the area, resulting in sudden closure of businesses.

Reacting, Al-Mustapha said he was in court to seek justice against dangerous propaganda against his person, adding that he didn’t drag to court former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who made similar allegations against him, in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan because Obasanjo did not mention his name in the said letter.
Counsel to Al-Mustapha, Sadau Garba had in a criminal direct complaint summon, deposed before the court, sued the Islamic cleric for defamation and mischievous propaganda against his client.
That “sometimes on a Friday in December 2013, Sheikh Khalil preached a sermon at the Sani Zangon Daura Jummu’at Mosque, alleging that Al-Mustapha was contracted by the government to train snipers to kill some 1000 people in the country to promote a political ambition. The defamatory words are contained in both CD and DVD plates recorded with the knowledge and consent of the accused person and were being sold to members of the public both within and outside Nigeria contrary to the provision of section 137 (1) Shariah Penal Code 2002, Kaduna state.”
In the recordings, the preacher had said that “the evil that men do lives after them. Information has reached me (that) you are in charge of training some young snipers and killers to promote your political ambition.”
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