HANADI Faults Shari’ah Council Over Shehu Buba Investigation

By Adebola Muili

ABUJA — The Hausa Native Advancement and Development Initiative (HANADI) has faulted the reported position of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) on the allegations involving Senator Shehu Buba Umar, insisting that security agencies should be allowed to carry out their statutory responsibilities without interference.

HANADI made the position in a response to the SCSN over its reported opposition to the Department of State Services (DSS) investigation into allegations against the Bauchi senator.

The organisation said while it recognised the right of the SCSN to express its views, matters concerning alleged threats to national security should be handled through established legal and investigative processes.

According to HANADI, the DSS has the responsibility to investigate issues relating to internal security, and no religious or ethnic organisation should obstruct such investigations.

The organisation said the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law and that no individual should be shielded from investigation on the basis of religious or ethnic affiliation.

“The rule of law must prevail over ethnic or religious affiliations,” HANADI stated.

It further expressed concern over what it described as an apparent defence of Senator Shehu Buba on religious and ethnic grounds, stressing that allegations involving violence, banditry or other criminal activities should be investigated irrespective of the identity of the person involved.

HANADI said: “Any ethnic group or individual, whether Fulani or otherwise, should not be above the law.”

The organisation urged the SCSN to allow security agencies to perform their duties, arguing that Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the North, required impartial and professional handling.

It also called on the council to refrain from what it described as the use of Islam as a tool for political or tribal defence.

HANADI maintained that any evidence of wrongdoing against Senator Shehu Buba or any other individual should be thoroughly examined by the appropriate authorities.

It urged the SCSN to respect the legal process and allow the relevant security agencies to independently investigate the allegations.

The organisation said its position was guided by the principles of peace, justice and equality before the law, stressing that national security matters should be handled without regard to tribe or religion.

The controversy follows allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba to terrorist or criminal activities, claims which his camp has rejected while challenging the accuser to produce evidence before the appropriate authorities.