By Paul Joseph
A Kano-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasir Kabara, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy, has approached the Court of Appeal seeking permission to be transferred from Abuja back to Kano to aid his appeal process.
Kabara, currently held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, is requesting relocation to the Kurmawa Correctional Centre, arguing that his transfer has disrupted access to critical legal documents needed to pursue his case.
In a petition dated April 3, 2026, the cleric said thousands of pages of case files, including court proceedings and legal briefs, were left behind in Kano when he was moved in October 2025.
He stressed that verifying the completeness and authenticity of these records is essential before further hearings can proceed.
He also urged the court to suspend ongoing proceedings until the documents are reviewed, warning that continuing without them could undermine his constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Representing himself, Kabara further complained that he has been unable to attend court sessions due to the absence of a production warrant, despite efforts by his supporters to secure his appearance.
The cleric was arraigned in July 2021 before an Upper Sharia Court in Kano on allegations of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad and was convicted on December 15, 2022.
He was sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty on all counts brought by the Kano State government.
The court has yet to fix a date for hearing his latest application.
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