The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has urged Kano State Government to execute the court judgement that found a singer guilty of blasphemy.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, on Tuesday in Kaduna, the Shari’ah Council said executing the judgement will serve as a deterrent to others.

It berated those advocating pardon for the convict, and advised the Kano State Government not to be swayed by their plea.

“The calls by some so-called human rights groups to pardon the culprit should not deter the state government from doing the right thing.

“This case is purely an Islamic affair, in consonance with the religion, culture and wishes of not only the people of Kano, but the majority of the population of Nigeria that are Muslims.

“The Council further wishes to emphatically remind all Nigerians, especially the secular human rights groups, that the judgement is in line with the Supreme Court judgement.”

It cited the case of Abubakar Shalla Vs State (2007) 12 MJSC, page 52-53 paragraph G-B, where the Supreme Court ruled ‘that the position of the Law under Shari’ah is that any sane and adult Muslim who insults, defames, or utters words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium, contempt of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon Him), such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death.’

“We therefore call on all Muslims to be mindful of their utterances as the Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say what is right or keep silent.”

A Kano Upper Shari’ah Court, on August 10, sentenced one Sharif Yahaya Sharifai to death-by-stoning for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, as provided under Kano State Shari’ah Law.