KANO – The Court of Appeal in Kano has issued a mandatory production order for embattled Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abduljabar Kabara, directing the Nigerian Correctional Service to bring him before the court for his appeal hearing.
The order was handed down by a three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal-Shuaibu, following the discovery that the cleric is currently representing himself without the aid of a lawyer.
The Production Order
Justice Lawal-Shuaibu emphasised that because Kabara filed the appeal as a self-represented litigant, his physical presence is a constitutional requirement for a fair hearing. The court noted that it would be a procedural irregularity to proceed with the hearing of an appeal involving a capital offence while the appellant is absent.
Kabara is currently on death row following a December 2022 judgment by an Upper Sharia Court, which sentenced him to death by hanging for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.
Court Rebukes State Government
During the proceedings on Wednesday, the court expressed significant displeasure over the absence of the Kano State Attorney General, who was not present or represented for the scheduled hearing.
Justice Lawal-Shuaibu described the absence of the state’s chief law officer as “disrespectful” to the judicial process, particularly given the gravity of the case.
Background and Security Concerns
The Kabara case has been one of the most high-profile and sensitive legal battles in Northern Nigeria. The cleric was convicted after a widely publicised “debate” organized by the state government, where his interpretations of certain Islamic texts were deemed blasphemous by other scholars and the presiding judge.
Given the volatility surrounding blasphemy cases in the region, the order to bring Kabara to the court in person on April 23, 2026, is expected to trigger a massive security deployment at the court premises to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
What Happens Next?
Legal analysts suggest that if the Correctional Service complies with the production order tomorrow, the court will allow Kabara to adopt his briefs and argue his grounds for seeking a reversal of the death sentence. The case is being closely watched by human rights groups and international observers monitoring the application of Sharia-based death penalties in Nigeria.
