Islamic scholars in Kano state, under the aegis of Council of Ulamas, have kicked against castration as punishment for rapists.
The state House of Assembly had adopted the proposal for the castration of confirmed rapists, following a motion sponsored by a member, Mr Nuraddeen Alhassan, on July 15, 2020.
During the plenary, Alhassan, who called for the review of the law to further reflect a harsher punishment for rapists in the state, said the present 14 years jail punishment was not enough.
The lawmakers after deliberations on the issue adopted the motion and ordered for the recall of the extant law.
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However, in a statement released by chairman of Islamic scholars, Sheik Ibrahim Khalil and made available to newsmen in the state, the council argued that the punishment of castration for rape is against the teaching of Islam.
According to Khalil, the council opposed the proposed castration after due consultations, hence it is advocating a review of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code 2000.
Khalil stated that the Old Kano Sharia Law states the appropriate punishment for rapists and adulterers, which are all major sins in Islam.
He, however, pointed out that the council’s position did not mean they were supporting the criminal act of rapists.
Khalil said the council had resolved to visit the House of Assembly for advice and possible solutions in line with Islamic injunction.
