RADICAL Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has accused governors of states in the North that have adopted the Islamic legal code, Sharia, of using it selfishly. He said the governors are dishonest people, who amputate the hands of poor people, who steal peanuts while those who steal millions of naira tax-payers' money go scot-free.
The outspoken leader of the Moslem Shiites, told newsmen in Kano last Saturday that there is more to Sharia than corporal punishments, amputations or death by stoning. Sheikh El-Zakzaky said if Sharia is to be practised according to Islamic injunction, then the governors themselves are running illegal government since they did not come to power through Islamic parties.
He explained that before Sharia can work successfully, there must be Islamic education and improvement in the standard of living of the people. He said true Moslems should emphasise eradication of armed robbery and other social ills through good governance and improvement in people's living standard and not punishment, adding that killing of armed robbers can never stop robbery.
He called for the establishment of Quaranic schools and Islamiyya colleges to educate Moslems on the true meaning of the faith. Earlier, El-Zakzaky had, while addressing hundreds of his followers, condemned alleged Israeli incursion into Palestinian cities. He said the Palestinians took to suicide bombing because they have no choice than to sacrifice their lives as the only weapon to protect their honour and the holy sites.
El-Zakzaky said Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, provoked the crises two and half years ago when he entered sites considered sacred by Moslems. He said the Israelis rather than condemn his action rewarded Sharon by electing him Prime Minister. It would be recalled that Gov. Ahmed Sani of Zamfara State blazed the trail in the adoption of Sharia in November 1999. The state also became the first to convict and punish an offender under the law when in the same year it amputated Mallam Bello Jangedi's right arm for stealing a cow.
Since the state pioneered the adoption of the controversial code, about nine others have followed suit. They are Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna where a "partial" Sharia is being observed. Meanwhile, a 30-year-old woman, Amina Lawal, who was recently sentenced to death by a Sharia court in Katsina State for adultery, has appealed against the judgement.
The convict, who hails from Kurami village in Bakori local government area, filed the suit at the Funtua Upper Sharia Court, challenging the decision of the lower court. Lawal told newsmen at the weekend that she appealed against the judgement because she was not given the chance to defend herself, adding that the appeal was filed with the assistance of an international women organisation.
Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning by a Bakori Sharia Court, having found her guilty of giving birth to a baby girl out of wedlock. She was charged along with Yahaya Mohammed, who was alleged to have had sexual intercourse with her before the birth of the baby.
But during the proceedings, Mohammed denied the charge, swearing by the Quran that he never had canal knowledge of Lawal and he was therefore discharged and acquitted by the court.
Delivering judgement, Mallam Nasiru Bello Dayi said the court was satisfied that Lawal was guilty of the offence and ordered that she be stoned to death, but gave her one month within which to appeal against the decision.