Gumi Threatens Lawsuit Against Lawyer Over Defence of Terrorists Claims

Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has threatened legal action against human rights lawyer Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo over what he described as defamatory claims capable of inciting religious tension in the country.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday, Gumi demanded that Omirhobo withdraw his statement and issue an “unreserved apology” within 48 hours or face a lawsuit for defamation and incitement.

“Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo should retract his defamatory allegations against me (Sheikh Dr Ahmad Abubakar Gumi) and tender an unreserved apology in another press release within 48 hours; otherwise he will be charged in court for defamation and intent to stir religious crisis in Nigeria,” Gumi wrote.

The warning follows a statement by Omirhobo titled “Terrorism Apology Is a Crime: Government Must Investigate and Prosecute Sheikh Ahmad Gumi,” in which the lawyer accused Gumi of “publicly justifying and defending terrorists” and called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute him.

Omirhobo cited the 1999 Constitution, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Criminal Code Act, arguing that Gumi’s remarks and visits to bandit enclaves amounted to support for terrorism and posed a threat to national security.