01 April 2009

The Council of Ulama in Kano yesterday warned the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Aminu Yesufu, to stay clear of the way of full implementation of sharia or face the wrath of the people.

The Chairman, Kano Council of Ulama, Sheik Ibrahim Umar Kabo, accused the police of sabotaging the effort of Hisbah to curb "evils" in the state.

Kabo stated that the police boss turned several offers from the Hisbah Board to train the Hisbah corps on the rudiment of maintenance of law and order.

He added that the police boss also rejected other complimentary services rendered by the sharia corps.

Kabo accused the CP over his alleged failure to protect the edict setting up of the Sharia Commission, adding that his office had in the process circumvented an established order contrary to his constitutional responsibility.

"The essence of this press briefing today is to draw the attention of the public to one Muhammad Aminu Yesufu over his anti-sharia stance. He has used his office to circumvent the full implementation of sharia as contained in the state edict," Kabo said.

He recounted how the CP gave ultimatum to the Hisbah Board to return a sized truck load of beer after summoning their high command, adding that they ignored his order and set the truck ablaze.

"We have not done anything out of context with the existing law of Kano state, and since it is obvious that the CP in concert with several anti sharia elements is out to frustrate the full implementation of the law, we have no option than to commit them to the hand of Allah for justice to prevail."

Sheik Ibrahim Kabo lamented that the CP who claimed to be a Muslim could allow himself to be used by a supposed enemy of his religion, stressing that there is no going back as far as realization of the law is concerned.

The chairman further declared that Kano Muslims are peace loving and will continue to embrace peace in the face of glaring provocation, stressing that as it stands to day no one is competent to stop the chosen way.

Effort to reach out to the police Commissioner for comment prove fruitless, as neither the CP nor their image maker was available as at the time of going to press.

But top police Officer in Kano who spoke on condition of anonymity told Vanguard that they are working with every segments of the society to achieve peace in the commercial city, and denied anything contrary.

Saudi Embassy Not Responsible for Hajj - Envoy

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian ambassador, Khaled O. Y Abdrabuh has said the embassy does not participate in any monetary projects with regard hajj operation in Nigeria

In an interview with Daily Trust, he said the only function Saudi embassy carries out in relation to hajj is issuing visa for both hajj and Ummrah which are free. He said Saudi Ministry of Hajj is responsible for all hajj transactions in the Holy Land, which is delegated to government approved agents. He added that the agents handle accommodation and transportation.

He said National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Saudi Ministry of Hajj will meet in June in Saudi Arabia to discus last year's hajj challenges and to chat the way forward for this year's hajj.