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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Nigerian cleric angry after release |
| 2002-12-03 |
| What the hell? He was angry before they jugged him, too. There's no pleasing the man, is there? A Muslim leader from the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna has accused the authorities of arresting him for political reasons. Nafiu Baba Ahmed, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, was released on bail on Monday after being arrested in connection with religious riots in which more than 200 people were killed. He told the BBC he was taken to state headquarters, was interrogated and was then told he would be charged with conspiracy to commit arson and rioting. That sounds about right. Somebody was whipping up the rubes, and he was the one with his mouth open... More than 300 people were arrested in connection with the riots, which were sparked by the Miss World beauty contest, but there has been criticism that the ringleaders have been left alone. Doesn't sound like this one was. That's his beef, in fact... The Sharia Council believe the arrest was linked to Mr Nafiu's opposition to Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi, an ally of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Some accuse the governor of being too soft in implementing Kaduna's Sharia law. Couldn't have that. No, no. Couldn't have that... Analysts say the rioting was an attempt by northern Muslims to embarrass Mr Obasanjo, a southern Christian, who is standing for re-election next year. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |