Trans-Amadi Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was on Tuesday 20th August, 2019 demolished by the Rivers State government. The demolition exercise has however been denounced by the Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
According to MURIC, the demolition is the most odious and insidious attack on an Islamic landmark in that part of the country in recent times. This was made known to the media in a statement issued by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 26th August, 2019.
MURIC said, “This demolition exercise is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. It is an exhibition of gross, undiluted Islamophobia and the most odious and insidious attack on an Islamic landmark in that part of the country in recent times. It is another evidence showing that established thugs have seized the reins of power in certain government houses in Nigeria.
“Both the Chief Imam of Trans-Amadi Central Mosque, Alhaji Haroon Muhammed and the Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Sadiq have provided evidence proving that due process was followed in purchasing the land. Yet the state government has been harassing the mosque management for years. The mosque has been demolished twice in the past.
“The Muslims had no option than to approach the court. Two cases were instituted at the State High court. One was to restrain the government from taking over the land and the other was for compensation for the loss incurred by the Muslims for the damages done to their properties (the building that was demolished and the properties in the mosque damaged as a result of the demolition).
“The Muslims won both cases. The court judgement in favour of the Muslims was given on 2nd November, 2017. Though the government appealed against the second case which is about compensation for damages and the case is still ongoing at the Appeal Court, it did not appeal the one restraining it from taking over the land. The Muslims of Rivers State are therefore the bona fide owners of that land.
“It proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the demolition of Tuesday 20th August 2019 was done in contempt of court. A mosque is demolished while there is a case on it at an appellate court. The level of impunity manifested by Governor Nyesom Wike has confirmed the fear expressed by Lord Acton in his 1887 letter addressed to Bishop Mandell Creighton that ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’.
“Or how do we explain a situation whereby a state governor ignores all legal process and proceeds to send thugs and fake mobile policemen to destroy a mosque? It is interesting to note that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of that area challenged the task force on the ground that he was not aware of any demolition order.
“They replied that the order was from the State House but they had to withdraw because they could not produce a written order when the DPO requested for it. This happened twice: 29th July and 16th August, 2019 before they eventually came for the demolition on 20th August when they returned yesterday with more touts, fake mobile policemen and bulldozers.
“This demolition was executed without any formal notice despite the fact that the mosque has an approved building plan. The only thing that was heard was that the papers had not been revalidated whereas the mosque management made several moves to revalidate ownership. They even paid a visit to the permanent secretary to complain when officials in the Ministry of Lands and Housing refused to attend to them.
“This illegal demolition has deprived more than 10,000 worshippers of a place of worship. Members of the armed forces, oil company workers and other residents who are Muslims attend the mosque. This exercise smarks of religious fanaticism, intolerance and administrative impunity.
“The witch cried yesterday and the child died today. Do we still need to waste time on an autopsy? Contrary to Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says, ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion’ Wike has declared on three different occassions that Rivers State is a Christian State and no one has deemed it fit to caution him, not the state assembly, nor the Senate.
“Wike does not want any mosque in the state. Neither does he want to see any Muslim around him. Paradoxically, Rivers State citizens are everywhere in the country, particularly in Muslim-controlled parts of Northern Nigeria as well as Muslim-majority parts of the South West. Wike’s ability for independent and logical reasoning is highly in doubt.
“We alert Nigerians to the characteristics of Wike’s administration, namely: wikedisation of religion, acrobatic religiousity, gymnastic impunity, political violence and administrative rascality. Wike has no respect for any type of decorum. He is a threat to peaceful coexistence anywhere in this country.
“This man must never be allowed to go beyond Rivers State in his political career. Neither should any president give him a federal appointment. Nigerian Muslims will definitely rise against him if he ever aspires for a federal position anytime in the future or if any presidential candidate picks him as his running mate. Wike is bad news. Muslims are not safe in his hands. He is not capable of rational thinking. Neither can he ever dispense justice with fairness.
“To the Muslims of Rivers State, we send to you this strong message of solidarity. ‘Believers are all brothers’ (Qur’an 49:10 Inamal muminuun ikhwah). We assure you that you are not alone. We feel the heat as you pray under the burning sun. We share the cold and wetness when you pray in the rain. The Fir‘awn of Rivers State cannot do worse to you than Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl did to the early Muslims. How did the duo end up? What was the end of Fir‘awn the oppressor? We therefore charge Muslims in Rivers State to remain steadfast in faith and in resolution.
“While we caution against taking the law into their hands, we warn that they must not kowtow to Wike’s poohpooh. They must resolutely pursue the legal angle to a logical conclusion. We also advise that they continue to observe their weekly Jumu’ah service on the ruins of the multi-million naira mosque to the chagrin of Wike and his agents of destruction. Afterall, Wike cannot have the luxury of a third term. His days are numbered but every term is Allah’s term. He reigns forever.
“The National Assembly (NASS) is advised to enact a law compelling any Nigerian who aspires to a political post to undergo mental examination. This will save the country from the embarrassment of irrational and Bohemian behavior on the part of holders of political offices.
“In conclusion, we appeal to the NASS to call Wike to order. His actions are capable of setting Nigeria on fire. The declaration of Rivers State as a Christian state constitutes a major infringement on Section 10 of the Nigerian constitution which he swore to defend. Neither should the NASS close its eyes to the war being waged by Wike against Muslims in the state.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
This is an act of terrorism and treating other citizens Faith
If u don’t know the meaning of terrorism meet you Fulani brothers
We must respect the facts and stop sending out incendiary messages. I am sure Woke as a lawyer did not just wake up to pull down that mosque. There must have been discussions, orders and disagreements. Let the officials of the mosque speak up truthfully no matter how emotional they may feel. Matters of religion are too sensitive to be toyed with.
We should also condemn El-Rufai’s rascality in Kaduna state. In our conscience we should be just.
Thank you sir. U are a just man.
This is uncalled for in the era of democracy. High reverence suppose to be given to the place where people are expressing their faith, be it Christians or Muslims. This religious intolerance ought to be stopped.
I believe you absolutely brother but hope you can say the same to the Bokoharams and jihadist pretending to herdsmen too!? I mean I condemn the act of terrorism or religious intolerance, but my pain is we seldom hear people speak in volume when inslam related groups like boroharam, herdsmen and others launch attack on other religious groups especially Christians. Some how we try to look away from it or even try to justify their their inhumane actions. In summary, this world especially Nigeria would be a better place if we all together raise our voices and put to an end Islamic assaults, unjust killings of people all over the world. Thank you
Why the hue and cry. Churches have been demolished by various governments in Nigeria, so what’s so special about Wike demolishing a mosque. There must be a reason.
You are right! Its sad this is where we are as a nation. We are now so divided along religious line. So many times we all seen churches burned down and the reasons have always been government related, so why are we trying to read unnecessary meanings to this? The government of a state is not for one religious group buy for all and he acts not for one but for the good of all regardless of his or her religious affiliation. Thank you
What am I seeing here. Muslims accusing the state govt.of contempt of court? Establishing courts is the statutory prerogative of the civil govt. yet they have Sharia courts. Is that not an affront on the civil society and the govt as well as a clear contempt of court? Is there any court in this country owned by Christians? Can they veraciously claim not to have sued any non-muslim to any of their sharia courts? Does their Islamic President Muhammadu Buhari respect and implement court rulings?
(وإذ يمكر بك الذين كفروا ليثبتوك أو يقتلوك أو يخرجوك ويمكرون ويمكر الله والله خير الماكرين) [الأنفال].
Allah said to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him..
(Taking the plague of those who disbelieve to prove or kill you or get you out and plotting and plotting God, and God is the best of the wicked) [Anfal]
He wike can demolished mosque , but he can never kill (Islam)..
So this so called muslim group knows about rule of law yet most northern states has been declared muslim state, opprates sharia court yet nothing happened. They’re even striving to fully implement sharia law as a law that should govern nothern states. Governor wike carry on the senate is just your starting point.
Please let wait for the respond of the court. Is gov wike above the law no
Does a president of this country nigeria respect court ruling?
I hate it when people talk about one nigeria, divide this country let everybody go his way
If wike action is within the law and general good of the people of Rivers state why are some people complaining. El rufai’s action and utterances against Christians in the north have never been questioned.
This is interesting. Whatever the genesis of this matter may be. The South has no such Sharia institution and should rather be situated in the North.