SHUAIBU’S MURDER: WILL JUSTICE BE SERVED?

The murder of a Christian pastor in Kano has raised issues regarding justice, equity, and fairness for non-Muslims in Muslim-dominated Kano State. Muslim bloodletters killed Rev. Shuaibu over his alleged role in the conversion of a Muslim to Christianity in the area. Such horrific acts of religious extremism are not new in Kano State. Kano is one of the Muslim majority states in Northern Nigeria where sharia law is in force. Islamic theocracy prevails in the region. Kano State officially treats non-muslims as second-class citizens.

Muslim extremists engage in attacks and killing of non-Muslims with impunity. The federal government authorities turn a blind eye to Muslim faith-based abuses and felonies. The Christian Association of Nigeria has asked that justice be done in the case of late Pastor Shuaibu. But will justice be done? There have been reports that the police have arrested some suspects. But will they be prosecuted and punished for their crimes? It is not in the character of the Islamic Kano State to ensure fairness and equity for non muslim believers. Whenever Muslim jihadists go on the rampage, attack, or kill non-Muslims, as in the case of Pastor Shuaibu, the Kano State government panders to the Islamic base. State officials look the other way; they pretend not to know their duty and responsibility. State actors feign ignorance of the law and constitution. Muslim attackers and murderers go scot-free because murdering a non-muslim is not treated as a criminal act.

In some cases where the victims survive, they are arrested and detained for their safety. Victims of Islamic mob attacks are prosecuted for engaging in actions capable of breaching public peace. In situations where they did not survive, as in the case of Rev Shuaibu, suspects might be arrested. But they would later be secretly released. As in the case of Bridget Agbahime, whenever alleged perpetrators are charged to court, state prosecutors would at some point declare a nolle prosequi on the case. They would release the bloodletters. Everyone expects the pattern to play out in the case of Rev Shuaibu. Kano State government could also choose to prove the pundits wrong. Now the police have arrested some suspects, will the delay tactics set in? Will the police charge them in court? Will the police keep them in custody until the tension has dissipated and then release them? It is known that state prosecutors sometimes also act as if they were keen at diligently handling the matter. They would charge the case to court and later discontinue the trial or get the judge to throw it out. Would this drama play out in the case of Rev Shuaibu?

Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com