An Ondo State-based Islamic cleric and founder of At-Tanzil Foundation, Sheikh AbdulRauf Lagbaji, has appealed to legal practitioners not to represent or serve as defence counsel for individuals involved in banditry and kidnapping, insisting that such criminals deserve no sympathy.

Lagbaji made the call during a lecture delivered at the Ashura Day celebration organised by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Ondo State chapter, in Akure on Friday.

The lecture was themed “Ashura: Navigating Peaceful Pathways Amidst Hostilities: What Are the Practical Relevance in Contemporary Nigeria?”.

The cleric also urged the government to amend relevant constitutional provisions to ensure that anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, and similar violent crimes faces immediate execution.

According to him, governments at all levels must stop showing leniency towards convicted criminals, warning that reintegrating them into society could worsen insecurity across the country.

The cleric appealed to lawyers not to represent or serve as defence counsel for anyone involved in banditry or kidnapping.

Lagbaji stressed that the government should not hesitate to apply the death penalty to those convicted of heinous crimes, particularly the perpetrators of the Owo church massacre.

“It is time for our government to execute any bandit or kidnapper found guilty because the Qur’an makes it clear that whoever knowingly kills another person should also be put to death.

“The government needs to enforce the death penalty on those involved in the Owo church attack that occurred four years ago.

“In Islam, Diyya (blood money) for a person killed is equivalent to 100 camels, which is about N200 million per person. Therefore, our religion does not permit the pampering of anyone who kills.

“So, what justification does the government have for allowing those who commit such atrocities to return to society?

“The government must not make the mistake of believing that bandits will genuinely repent and spare them. If the government does so, Allah will not spare them in the hereafter,” he said.

The cleric further called on Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to embrace the lessons of Ashura by promoting peace, loyalty to Allah, and goodwill towards fellow citizens.

Also speaking at the event, the Grand Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, urged Muslims to participate actively in politics, saying greater involvement would improve their chances of securing appointments, leadership positions, and adequate representation in governance. (Daily Trust)

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