A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday turned down an appeal by a Kano Cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara to transfer a breach of fundamental rights suit.
Kabara sought the enforcement of fundamental human rights through his counsel, Dalhatu Shehu-Usman.
Wikki Times recalls that on July 21, the defendant had sought transfer of his ongoing trial of alleged blasphemy to another judge.
Kabara is standing trial before a Kano Upper Shari’a Court for alleged blasphemy.
Read: Sheikh Abduljabbar Demands Transfer of Alleged Blasphemous Trail To Another Judge
The Kano State Government charged Abduljabbar with four counts bordering on blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, on Aug.10, Oct. 25 and Dec. 20, 2019.
The respondents in the suit are the Kano Upper Shari’a Court and Kano State Government.
Kabara in his request, is disputing the proceedings of the Upper Shari’a Court.
Mr Shehu-Usman informed the court that his client wants the suit to be transferred to another vacation court judge in Abuja.
“My Lord, my client said he has lost confidence in this court that he will not have fair hearing,” he said.
Mr Shehu-Usman contended that the presiding judge had a conference with the Attorney-General of Kano State today for over 30 minutes, Daily Nigerian reports.
Read: Kano Sharia Court Jails Barber For Attempted Homosexual Act With 7-year-old Boy
Dahuru Muhammad, counsel to the respondents told the court that today at about 9a.m, counsel to the applicant served him with another copy of fundamental rights suit filed in Abuja.
“The filing of another breach of fundamental human rights suit while this is pending is an abuse of court process, “he said.
However, Justice Abdullahi Liman refused to transfer or strike out the fundamental rights suit.
“I will ignore the reasons for the transfer of the suit and the visit of the Attorney-General of Kano State should not be associated with this suit.
“The allegations seem to be untrue. One party is not entitled to choose a particular court or judge his case should be tried,” Mr Liman said while adjourning the matter until Sept. 22, for further hearing.
