Posted by The wanted notice on Islamic cleric Malam Idris Abdulaziz, who is located in Bauchi, was dropped by the Bauchi State Police Command for “contempt of court” after National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu intervened.
Anyone with information regarding the 63-year-old cleric’s whereabouts is asked to report to the State Police Command or any nearby police station, according to a Special Gazette Bulletin issued by the Inspector-General of Police on February 8, 2024.
Nevertheless, Abdulaziz and the Bauchi State government inked a peace accord yesterday at the police state headquarters, with the help of CP Auwal Musa Mohammad, the state commissioner of police.
Members of the Nigerian government’s security and civil defense forces, as well as the state’s attorney general and commissioner of justice, were present for the signing of the peace accord.
On Wednesday, SP Ahmed Wakili, a spokesman for the police headquarters, made public the peace accord.
“The Commissioner of Police, in his capacity as Chairman of the Security and Allied Agency in Bauchi State, resolved to ensure that the communication gap, among others, responsible for deteriorating the relationship between the parties, would be addressed without hesitation,” (part of the statement).
“He firmly conveyed his gratitude to Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, the governor of Bauchi State, for responding to the request of the National Security Agency and other interested parties to reach a peace agreement, and he emphasized that all parties would diligently adhere to the signed document.”
“Malam Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi ought to know that although he is entitled to free speech, he ought not to abuse his position by insulting or disparaging other clergy.”
Regardless of people’s political or religious views, he should use his pulpit to promote community cooperation and peace. Therefore, from now on, he must respect constituted authority.
Here at the Command, we fervently hope that this is the start of a fresh chapter of unity and mutual respect in Bauchi State.
The Chief Imam’s reluctance to appear before the Bauchi court to continue his trial led to the issuance of an arrest order by the Upper Shari’a court.
Prosecutors have charged Abdul’aziz with blasphemy and inciting to public disruption of peace.
During one of his Ramadan Tafsir sessions, the cleric was also accused of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad and several prominent clerics.
The present PDP-led Bauchi State Government was not pleased by Imam Abdul’aziz’s rise to prominence in the state because of his outspoken criticism of its policies and programs.