Nigerian lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has alleged that statements made by Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, amount to the promotion of terrorism, an offence punishable under Nigerian law with up to 20 years imprisonment. He also called for Gumi’s prosecution under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Adeyanju’s remarks followed Gumi’s interview on AIT on May 19, 2026, during which the cleric urged Nigerians to learn how to live with terrorists.

According to Gumi: “They are under pressure to fight government, government that has helicopter and has been bombarding. They need all the money they’re getting from kidnapping. It’s not like they are living luxurious lives.

The government is putting too much pressure on them so they need money to finance their war machines.”

Reacting to the comments, Adeyanju stated that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 does not only punish those who physically carry out terrorist attacks, but also criminalises acts capable of encouraging, justifying, promoting, or supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.

“The Act broadly defines support to include incitement, ideological encouragement, public advocacy, dissemination of materials capable of advancing violent causes, and even moral or verbal backing for persons engaged in acts of terror,” he said.

He added: “Specifically, Section 13 of the Act criminalises soliciting for, rendering support to, or associating with terrorist groups, with punishment ranging up to imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years.

“This is why many Nigerians continue to question the seeming double standard in the treatment of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and Nnamdi Kanu. The Federal Government has consistently argued that Kanu’s broadcasts and public comments amounted to incitement and support for unlawful violence, forming part of the basis for his prosecution under anti-terrorism laws.

“It is therefore not out of place to argue that Sheikh Gumi’s repeated public defence of armed bandits, his sympathetic rhetoric towards violent groups, and comments perceived as excusing or rationalising their atrocities should equally attract serious legal scrutiny under the Act.”

Adeyanju further stated that in a country like Nigeria, where terrorists and bandits have killed innocent citizens, displaced communities, and destabilised entire regions, the law must be applied equally, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. (Th