The Bauchi State Police Command has declared cleric Idris Abdulaziz wanted, as disclosed in a Special Police Gazette distributed in Bauchi. The police bulletin, issued through the command’s Criminal Investigation Department, displayed Abdulaziz’s picture and details, offering a reward for anyone who assists in his arrest. The cleric is wanted for contempt of court.
Abdulaziz’s lawyer, Ahmad Musa, responded to the police declaration, stating that this action is not new and accused the state government of using resources to suppress opposition voices. Musa emphasized that Abdulaziz is known for speaking the truth to those in power and expressed confidence that the government’s attempts to silence him would fail.
The lawyer highlighted that the Bauchi State Government, through the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan El-Yakub, filed fresh charges against Abdulaziz at the Chief Magistrates Court, Bauchi, accusing the government of politically witch-hunting his client.
Abdulaziz, an Islamic cleric based in the Dutsen Tanshi area of Bauchi, has faced legal challenges since last April when his comments about not needing the support of certain religious figures, even Prophet Muhammad, during difficult times, stirred controversy. The state government took over the case, accusing him of blasphemy and prosecuting him. The recent charges against Abdulaziz were described as containing the same allegations being tried at the Upper Sharia Court 1, Bauchi. Musa argued that the government’s actions expose its political inclination to use the state judicial branch to persecute Abdulaziz.
