13 Muslim organisations, united under the banner of Muslims United for Peace and Justice, on Monday, May 23, demanded justice for Deborah Samuel, a student at Sokoto’s Shehu Shagari College of Education, who was gruesomely murdered for supposed blasphemy.
The organisations urged state and federal governments to enact and faithfully implement laws criminalising blasphemy and murdering for blasphemy outside the law.
Professor Lakin Akintola, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), spoke at a news conference in Lagos alongside other Muslim leaders, pleading for justice against the killers, regardless of their purpose or explanation.
According to him, the terrible occurrence may serve as a watershed moment in Muslim-Christian relations, ushering in a new era of peaceful coexistence, adding that these objectives were attainable if each religion follower embraced and honestly practised their faith’s magnificent messages.
He urged Christians to use all means at their disposal to combat intolerance and urged Christian leaders to reflect deeply.
He explained;
We express strong solidarity with voices of reason and moderation amongst scholars of Islam and declare readiness to continue working together to strengthen the pillars of national peace, reconciliation and understanding.
Furthermore, he enjoined leaders of various religious faiths to continue to enlighten and educate adherents on the need for mutual respect, to focus on messages of love and work against voices of hatred and extremism, amongst them.
Last week, a total number of thirty-four lawyers defended Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel, in court on Monday, May 16.
The defense team for the suspected killers was led by Prof. Mansur Ibrahim.
Deborah Samuel, a 200-Level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was lynched by a mob on May 12 over alleged blasphemy.
However, the suspected killers, who were co-students of the deceased, were docked at a Sokoto Chief Magistrate’s Court for their alleged participation in the crime.
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When asked to take their pleas, they pleaded not guilty to the crime.
