By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has called for a holistic review of the remuneration of National Assembly members and the outright abolition of plea bargaining for economic crimes, saying weak laws are fueling corruption and insecurity.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Ustaz Ibrahim Abdullahi, and National Secretary, Dr. Nasir Balogun, to mark 1st Muharram 1448 AH, the commencement of the New Islamic Calendar Year, MMWG said corruption remains one of the most significant causes of insecurity in Nigeria.

The group argued that the nation lacks strong legislation to prevent serious economic crimes, a gap it said has promoted poverty, unemployment, injustice and educational disadvantages for young Nigerians.

Still on corruption, MMWG reiterated its call for “benchmarking of bailable economic crimes and abolition of plea bargaining.”

“There should be no bargaining with looters of our Treasuries no matter their positions,” the group said, adding “we are having unimaginable proportions of corruption cases because our laws have been weak in dealing sternly with the crime.”

The group also called for a “holistic review of remuneration packages of the members of the National Assembly.”

Linking corruption to the current security crisis, MMWG said insecurity has reached “an alarming proportion” and poses a threat to the forthcoming general elections and the well-being of citizens.

It urged the Federal Government to “utilize the benefit of its international connections to stop the menace of insecurity” and to deploy technology urgently to fight terrorism, banditry and kidnapping for ransom.

While commending the military and other security forces, the group asked governments at all levels to promptly release annual budgetary allocations approved for them in the budget “so as to position them properly to fight the battle of insecurity confronting the Nation.”

1st Muharram 1448 AH marks the Hijra, the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, SAW, and his companions from Mecca to Medina after persecution by idol worshippers.

Muslims in Nigeria have since 1980 marked the New Islamic Calendar Year with mass rallies, public lectures and parades by students.

By Our Correspondent

Anambra State Government has confirmed the arrest of the Founder of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, Pastor Harrison Charles.

Confirming his arrest, the state Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor said that the pastor was apprehended by the operatives of state security outfit , Agunechemba and is presently under custody.

The cleric is accused of allegedly luring 75 women as church members and taking them as his wives.

Several allegations had earlier surfaced on a WhatsApp group and Social media against the clergyman before his arrest.

He is also said to engage in wife swapping among members of his congregation and taking other men’s wives as his own.

The commissioner revealed that investigation has commenced to confirm the veracity of the various allegations against the pastor.

He said, “If the allegations are verified, he will be charged to court for prosecution.

The Commissioner furrher called on residents of the state particularly members of the Pastor Charles Church to maintain peace.

The cleric brings to Nine the number of Pastors arrested by Anambra State government in the last three weeks for questionable religious practices

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has congratulated the new Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki, describing his appointment as “well deserved.”

The group, comprising Muslim journalists, mass communicators, and intellectuals from various fields, also commended the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for making what it called “the right choice at the right time.”

In a statement signed and released by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, MMWG described Sheikh Dasuki as a well-educated Islamic scholar and distinguished propagator of Islam.

It said the new Chief Imam would bring his knowledge and experience to bear in his new office as spiritual leader of the Ilorin Emirate.

The group charged Sheikh Dasuki, as the leader of Islamic scholars in Kwara State, to make the unity of the Muslim Ummah his top priority.

It urged him to promote Islamic brotherhood among scholars and Muslims in Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.

According to the statement, this would enable Muslims in the state to witness “a new dawn of Islamic knowledge, awareness, progress and development.”

It also called on the new Chief Imam to devote time to special spiritual supplications for Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State, and Nigeria, saying the prayers should focus on the country’s insecurity challenges and the forthcoming general elections.

MMWG expressed hope that sustained spiritual devotion would ensure peace, stability, and progress across the country.

The group further appealed to all Muslim scholars in Ilorin Emirate to rally around the new Chief Imam to ensure his success just as it offered prayers for his long life, sound health, and abundant prosperity as he assumes the leadership of the Ilorin Muslim community.