Omirhobo Responds to Gumi’s Ultimatum; ‘Let’s Meet in Court’

Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, a renowned human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, has stated that he will not retract his call for the Federal Government to investigate Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. This request follows Gumi’s remarks in support of terrorists who attack villages and kill Nigerians. Omirhobo added that if Gumi feels defamed, he is welcome to take the matter to court.

“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.”

In a statement, Islamic scholar Sheikh Dr Ahmad Abubakar Gumi gave Chief Omirhobo a 48-hour deadline on his Facebook page to withdraw his allegedly defamatory comments or face legal action. He demanded a public retraction and an unconditional apology. He warned that failure to comply would result in immediate legal steps for defamation and incitement of religious tension.

In his press statement, Omirhobo asserted that his remarks were not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary made in the public interest. He argued that his statements relied on verifiable facts and the Nigerian Constitution as well as the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The lawyer clarified that he did not label Sheikh Gumi a terrorist; rather, he urged authorities to investigate the cleric’s public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed groups, describing such actions as a lawful civic duty under sections 14, 24, and 45 of the Constitution.

“The proper forum for any defamation claim is a court of competent jurisdiction, not intimidation through threats or ultimatums,” Omirhobo stated. He added that defending, pacifying, or providing justification for terrorists who are killing Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that warrant investigation, not silence.

Chief Omirhobo emphasised that defending, justifying, or pacifying terrorists who kill Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that require investigation, not silence..