The Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Oyo State Branch, have demanded thorough investigation into an attack on Mr Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez and his two wives by Pastor Stephen Busari, his Soldier son,Damilola Busari and some other Soldiers.
MULAN made the demand in a statement issued by its Chairman,Mr Ismail Saka, Secretary, Mr Mukhtar Aderogba, and Public Relations Officer, Mr Idrees Openiyi on Thursday In Ibadan.
The association said that it received with great shock, the news of the brutal attack on the victims by the culprits which happened on Sallah Day ,June 16 at Barracks Area of Iseyin.Oyo State.
“According to available information, trouble started when brother Sulaiman AbdulAzeez was about to slaughter his sacrificial Sallah Animal in front of his house and the Pastor allegedly invited his Soldier Son and his friends to descend on brother Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez for turning the face of the animal towards the direction of his Church.
“Acting on the direction of the Pastor, his Soldier Son and his military colleagues attacked brother Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez and his wives with sticks inflicting grievous injuries on their heads and other parts of their bodies.
“One of brother Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez’s wives who is heavily pregnant was not spared as she was viciously attacked and dragged on the floor.
“Brother Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez’s brother and mother were also reportedly not spared as they were also attacked and injured by the aggressors,” MULAN said.
The association said that it seriously condemn the attack in the strongest terms,adding that the attack was capable of breaching the peace in the community.
MULAN called on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State Command to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of the culprits to ensure that such occurrence never repeats itself.
The association further called on the Military High Command to investigate and discipline the military personnel who participated in the brutal attacks on the Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez family.
The Muslim Lawyers promised to lend their support to ensure that Justice was served in the matter.
“As the Umbrella Body of Muslim Lawyers in Oyo State, we are interfacing with the retained Legal Counsel in the matter, the Oyo State Muslim Community, MURIC and other organisations and persons to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” the association said.
MULAN said that it has notice some feeble attempts by some conscienceless individuals to justify the barbarism perpetrated by the attackers and unable to understand the justification for the involvement of “military”officers trained with Public funds in the brutalization of the victims.
“Assuming without conceding that the brother and his wives committed any offence under the law, couldn’t the Pastor, his Soldier son and their accomplices report the matter to civil authorities for proper investigation and prosecution,”MULAN said.
The association saluted the Muslim Elders,Youth and the leadership of the Muslim Communities in both Iseyin and Oyo State for exercising restraint in the face of the unprovoked attacks on the Muslim brother and his family members in a manner that was suggestive of religious intolerance.
MULAN urged Muslim Ummah not to allow the matter to degenerate into violence while allowing the Law to take its course on the matter.
“We believe that there are several conscionable Christians who do not support the intolerance and bigotry of the Pastor and his accomplices.
