Kwara: Court Stops Islamic Cleric’s Arraignment On Defamation Charges, Recommends ADR…Gov AbdulRazaq Not Involved-Media Aide

An Islamic cleric in Kwara state, Sheikh Abdulrazaq Solihudeen Aremoh,  who  was scheduled for arraignment at the Upper Area Court, Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday, returned home without a need for ‘bail application’.

 A Kwara state APC bigwig,  former Senator Suleiman Makanjuola Ajadi, had instituted a defamation lawsuit against the Islamic cleric through  a direct criminal complaint .

Ajadi, who is also a former Finance commissioner, had reportedly cited  Aremoh’s comments about his role as chairman of  Kwara state Government Property Recovery Committee during the tafsir li Quran session that he presided over a few days ago.

Rather than having the Islamic cleric arraigned, the court urged the parties to engage in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

The judge later adjourned the case until May 29, 2024, for the report of the resolution or eventual arraignment.

In the meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, has clarified that his principal has no connection with the defamation lawsuit in question.

Ajakaye  in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com urged members of the public to ignore what he called’ fake story’  in which it was alleged that the governor is involved in the defamation case.

‘Members of the public are urged to disregard a fake story that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is involved in the prosecution of a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abdulrazaq Solihudeen who had launched verbal attacks on Senator Suleiman Ajadi in a viral video. 

The cleric, as seen in the video he made to condemn the Senator Ajadi committee, was opposed to the state government seeking accountability in how public property were sold without proper remittances to the treasury or due process.

Neither the governor nor the state government was aware of the video until it was shared on some online platforms on Sunday afternoon. 

The governor could not have sued on an issue he was not aware of, so the claims that he is behind the trial of the cleric are a piece of fake news. Those behind the story are the usual agents of disinformation who just wanted to cause disharmony in the state for political gains. 

The governor understands the burden of public office and the possibility of his being misunderstood, including the right of every citizen to hold or express contrary views within lawful boundaries. He remains focused in the discharge of his duties, and is confident that posterity will judge him fairly. 

Similarly, the governor concedes the right of any aggrieved citizen(s) to seek redress in lawful ways as no one is allowed to unfairly incite hatred against another person or resort to self-help in whatever guise’ the statement said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you