Kano Cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasir Kabara Petitions Chief Justice Over Alleged Political Interference in Blasphemy Death Sentence

Kano cleric Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasir Kabara petitions the CJN, alleging political interference and judicial blocks on his blasphemy death sentence appeals.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 8:21 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Trust

Imprisoned Cleric Challenges Judicial Integrity in Supreme Court Petition

Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasir Kabara, the Kano-based cleric sentenced to death for alleged blasphemous remarks, has escalated his legal battle by filing a formal petition with the Chief Justice of Nigeria. In the 14-page document received by the Supreme Court on March 26, Kabara contends that the judiciary and state authorities have actively conspired to block his constitutional right to appeal. The cleric, who was moved to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, describes his ongoing detention as a state-sponsored effort to suppress his influence. According to Kabara, his legal filings from December 2022 and subsequent motions in 2024 have been systematically stalled or destroyed by court officials.

Allegations of Foreign Entanglements and Political Recruitment

The petition introduces a narrative of international intrigue, with Kabara claiming that his current legal predicament stems from his refusal to participate in a foreign-backed revolutionary agenda. The cleric alleges that powerful domestic figures and Iranian envoys attempted to recruit him into a role similar to a revolutionary leader, an offer he claims to have rejected. According to his statement, these actors offered him contracts valued at up to N500 million to cooperate with their vision. Kabara asserts that his refusal to become a "revolutionary figure" triggered a coordinated campaign of persecution from both religious and political leaders who viewed his independence as a threat to their interests.

Constitutional Violations and Claims of Evidence Tampering

Central to Kabara’s complaint is the assertion that his trial and subsequent sentencing violated Section 38(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. He accuses government lawyers and presiding judges of colluding to alter official records and misrepresent his legal submissions to favor the prosecution. Kabara argues that the Upper Sharia Court’s decision in December 2022 was reached through a flawed judicial process that prioritized political expediency over legal merit. He further claims that the state has manipulated the timeline of his appeals to ensure he remains in custody without the possibility of a fair hearing.