The Supreme Council for Shari’ah has asked the federal government to prosecute TY Danjuma, a former minister of defence, for treasonable felony.
The council decsibed as unfortunate the recent call by General T. Y Danjuma on the citizens to take up arms to defend themselves and the accusation of the Nigerian armed forces colluding in the killing of Nigerians.
At the maiden convocation of Taraba State University, the retired general had asked Nigerians to defend themselves against killers, saying the armed forces have been biased in its responsibility of securing the country from attacks.
In a statement released Tuesday, Yusuf Rigachikun, Kaduna state chairman of the council, said, “A person of his calibre openly calling on citizens to take up arms because of demilitarisation being carried out by the Nigerian Army is a call to anarchy and also a call to treason and treasonable felony.”
“The council calls on the federal government to invite, investigate and prosecute the general for such a most unfortunate statement in the presence of students who are known to be volatile and prone to youthful exuberance,” the council added.
According to the statement, Danjuma’s action poses a threat to the peace and stability of the state and is a crime against the state.
“The prosecution of the General will go a long way for the culture of impunity not to threaten the cooperate existence of Nigeria.”
The military and defence minister have separately condemned the call.
But some state governors, including Benue’s Samuel Ortom and Rivers’ Nyesom Wike commended the ild general for speaking up.
The Senate will deliberate on the statement Wednesday.