Human rights lawyer threatens legal action against Mudirul Markaz over appointment of Grand Mufti
A legal practitioner, barrister Abdulsalam Abdulfatah Liberty, has vowed to drag the Mudir (spiritual and administrative leader and rector) of the popular Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Agege, Lagos, Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory, to court over the recent and controversial appointment of Sheikh Abdul-Rasaq Abdul-Azeez Ishola as the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.
Controversies recently erupted among Muslims in Yorubaland, Southwest Nigeria, following the nomination of multiple Muftis.
A mufti is a Muslim legal expert and adviser on the law of the Islamic Sharia law.
This appointment comes after Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan was appointed two years ago for the same position by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi under the Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen organisation.
However, the new development has stirred confusion among many Muslims, who are now calling for a unified front instead of divisive appointments.
Reacting to the appointment on his Facebook page, the renowned human rights activist, who is based in Osun State, South-west Nigeria, accused the elder son of the late Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory, of dividing the rank of Muslims in the Yorubaland by appointing a fresh Mufti when there is an existing one who has not been disqualified or removed by a competent court of law through a valid pronouncement.
He said, “It is the way of Satan (devil) to always throw stones at it anytime Islam is enjoying a controversies-free period. We can never like you, even if you run your head against the wall.
He vows to institute a legal case against the scholar in his capacity as a legal practitioner.
“I, as a Muslim, will drag you to court. There, you will explain what gave you the audacity and where you got the power to appoint a Grand Mufti for the Yorubaland, be it the Quran, the hadith, to bring peace into the land or in the book of the constitution of Markaz.
“Secondly, we want to know your intention for appointing a new Grand Mufti… So, let us meet your lawyers in court in my name.”
