By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Malcolm Omirhobo has reacted to the Hisban Police shutting down of sports betting shop and seizure of Baba Ijebu machines in Kano, highlighting that the silence of the Athorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN is both dangerous and violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerians in Kano.
The Nigerian lawyer known for his activism and human rights advocacy who took to his verified X account to call out the AGF in a tweet titled “AG WHERE AT THOU” said in part:
“Where are thou Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN? Your silence is dangerous . Your silence is taken as acceptance . Your silence is a violation of the Fundamental rights of Nigerians in Kano.”
Precise Post recalls that recently, the Hisbah Police in Kano has raided and shut down a sports betting shop as part of its enforcement of Sharia law during Ramadan.
This latest operation follows the arrest of 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public and five others for selling food during fasting hours.
Hisbah officials shared now-deleted images of operatives sealing the premises on their official Facebook page. Confirming the raid, the Deputy Commander of Hisbah, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminudeen, said the crackdown was in line with Kano’s strict Islamic laws, Pulse reported.
He expressed concern that some Muslims continue to gamble despite Ramadan’s sacredness. “It pains me that some Muslims still visit gambling centres while fasting is ongoing,” he said.
Kano Hisbah arrests residents for not fasting, ‘indecent’ haircut
This latest operation follows the arrest of 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public and five others for selling food during fasting hours.
Aminudeen stated, “It’s heartbreaking that adult Muslims would eat publicly in such a holy month. We won’t condone it.”
The 25 suspects will be tried in a Sharia court and face penalties. Hisbah clarified that its enforcement applies strictly to Muslims.
Beyond public eating and gambling, the board has also been targeting individuals with “indecent” haircuts, those wearing shorts above the knee, and tricycle riders who mix male and female passengers.
Aminudeen noted that many arrests result from reports by concerned residents. “People call us when they see violations, and we respond immediately,” he said.
Further recall that Omirhobo on his earlier tweet said he expected the Attorney General to come out from his shell to call the Northern State Governments to order following the closing of school by Kano state government till April 6.
That tweet reads in full:
Kano state government has said schools in the state remains closed till April 6.
I expect the Attorney General to come out from his shell to call the Northern State Governments closing down scholl to order .
This is a bad bench mark and a dangerous precedent being created here .
Where are the Northern elites ?
The secularity of Nigeria must be respected by all .Any State that offends it should get her monthly allocation seized .
