Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, a controversial Shia cleric, was accused of and charged with blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. He was subsequently detained a year and a half and sentenced to death.
his controversial preaching
In July 2021, Shia cleric Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara was arrested and incarcerated on blasphemy accusations. The controversial cleric stood accused of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad and his companions in his preaching, though further details as to the nature of this blasphemy were scant in the reporting.
In December 2022, after almost a year and a half of detention, the cleric was sentenced to death by a Sharia court.
Later, in May 2023, "followers" of the cleric claimed there had been a "gang-up" against him as he attempted to appeal his conviction.
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Kabara arrested, charged to court - Daily Post Nigeria
Kano: Ganduje provides update on arrest of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Kabara - Daily Post Nigeria
Nigeria Judge Sentences Imam to Death Over Blasphemy - Voice of America
Blasphemy: Kano cleric’s followers allege gang-up against death sentence appeal - Punch
Nigeria is a Muslim-majority country, though only narrowly, and nearly half of its inhabitants are Christians. The division between the two faiths manifests along geographical lines, with Muslims living mostly in the northern regions and Christians living mostly in the southern regions. Insults to religion in general are punishable for all citizens, while crimes more specific to Islam, including apostasy, are punished only in states that incorporate Islamic courts for their Muslim residents.