Ilorin Muslims File Criminal Complaint Against Clerics Over Alleged Defamatory Video
A legal battle is brewing in Ilorin, Kwara State, as a group of Islamic clerics and individuals face criminal charges for allegedly making inflammatory statements against the religious practices of Ilorin Muslims.
An Ogbomoso-based Islamic scholar, Dr. Sharafdeen Gbadebo Raji, alongside a popular preacher known as Adam Abdulrauf, widely recognized as Alfa Adam Adangba, and two others identified as Ibrahim and Abdul Wasii, have been named in a direct criminal complaint filed at the Upper Area Court 3, Pake, Ilorin.
The petition, lodged on June 23, 2025, was filed by a team of lawyers representing Shaykh Abu Sheriff, a prominent Islamic scholar, and members of the Ilorin Muslim community. According to the legal team, the accused persons allegedly participated in a pre-recorded video that has since gone viral on social media platforms. In the video, they were said to have made claims suggesting that many Ilorin indigenes continue to engage in traditional religious practices considered un-Islamic.
Among the contentious remarks were allegations that Muslims in Ilorin still worship traditional deities such as “Oro,” partake in festivals like “Ijesu,” and observe rituals regarded as contrary to Islamic teachings. The petitioners described these claims as false, malicious, and capable of sparking religious tension in the community.
Dr. J.F. Yusuph, who led the team of over a dozen lawyers, said in a statement that Dr. Raji allegedly coordinated the video session, encouraged the statements made by others, and even provided gifts to participants. The petitioners interpret this as a deliberate scheme to damage the religious image and unity of Ilorin Muslims.
“The video has caused significant psychological distress, outrage, and reputational harm among Ilorin Muslims,” Dr. Yusuph asserted. “Beyond reputational damage, the content has the potential to incite discord in a city where religion is a core part of identity and community life.”
The complaint urges the court to issue criminal summons compelling the accused to appear for arraignment and prosecution under multiple provisions of the Penal Code, including sections related to criminal conspiracy, defamation, incitement of hatred, and conduct likely to breach public peace.
The alleged offenses fall under Sections 96, 97, 113, 114, 392, 393, and 417 of the Penal Code operative in Kwara State.
As at the time of this report, efforts to reach Dr. Raji, Alfa Adam Adangba, and the other defendants for comments on the allegations were unsuccessful.
This case underscores the growing tension between religious freedom and the boundaries of speech, particularly in a region where faith remains deeply intertwined with community identity and social stability. Many observers are watching to see how the court will balance the rights of the accused with the concerns of the Ilorin Muslim community.
For insights into similar cases, check our Defamation Laws in Nigeria.
