Human rights lawyer MALCOLM OMIRHOBO rejects SHEIKH GUMI’S ultimatum, Insists on call for Investigation
By Passman Akpos
Human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, has firmly rejected a 24-hour ultimatum reportedly issued by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, demanding that he retract a recent public statement calling on the Federal Government to investigate Gumi’s alleged public defence of terrorists.
In a statement issued on Friday, Omirhobo declared that his comments were made “in the public interest” and were fully protected under the Nigerian Constitution and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
> “For the avoidance of doubt, I state unequivocally that my statement is not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary made in the public interest, relying on verifiable facts,” Omirhobo said.
He clarified that he did not accuse Sheikh Gumi of being a terrorist, but merely called on the appropriate authorities to investigate his public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed groups. According to him, this call for investigation aligns with the civic responsibilities enshrined in Sections 14, 24, and 45 of the Constitution.
Rejecting Gumi’s ultimatum, Omirhobo maintained that any claim of defamation should be tested in a court of competent jurisdiction, not through public threats or intimidation.
> “If Sheikh Gumi believes he has been defamed, the proper forum is a court of competent jurisdiction, not intimidation through threats or ultimatums. I stand by my statement. I refuse to retract it. No individual, cleric or otherwise, is above the law,” he asserted.
The outspoken lawyer further reiterated that defending, pacifying, or justifying terrorists responsible for widespread killings and kidnappings in Nigeria raises serious national security concerns that warrant immediate government scrutiny.
> “Defending, pacifying, or providing justification for terrorists who are killing Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that deserve investigation, not silence,” he concluded.
The development adds a new dimension to ongoing national debates around terrorism, freedom of speech, and accountability of public figures who comment on or engage with violent groups in the country.
Human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, has firmly rejected a 24-hour ultimatum reportedly issued by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, demanding that he retract a recent public statement calling on the Federal Government to investigate Gumi’s alleged public defence of terrorists.
In a statement issued on Friday, Omirhobo declared that his comments were made “in the public interest” and were fully protected under the Nigerian Constitution and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
> “For the avoidance of doubt, I state unequivocally that my statement is not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary made in the public interest, relying on verifiable facts,” Omirhobo said.
He clarified that he did not accuse Sheikh Gumi of being a terrorist, but merely called on the appropriate authorities to investigate his public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed groups. According to him, this call for investigation aligns with the civic responsibilities enshrined in Sections 14, 24, and 45 of the Constitution.
Rejecting Gumi’s ultimatum, Omirhobo maintained that any claim of defamation should be tested in a court of competent jurisdiction, not through public threats or intimidation.
> “If Sheikh Gumi believes he has been defamed, the proper forum is a court of competent jurisdiction, not intimidation through threats or ultimatums. I stand by my statement. I refuse to retract it. No individual, cleric or otherwise, is above the law,” he asserted.
The outspoken lawyer further reiterated that defending, pacifying, or justifying terrorists responsible for widespread killings and kidnappings in Nigeria raises serious national security concerns that warrant immediate government scrutiny.
> “Defending, pacifying, or providing justification for terrorists who are killing Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that deserve investigation, not silence,” he concluded.
The development adds a new dimension to ongoing national debates around terrorism, freedom of speech, and accountability of public figures who comment on or engage with violent groups in the country.
