Human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, has responded to a 24-hour ultimatum issued by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who demanded a retraction of statements calling for a government investigation into his alleged defense of terrorists.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Omirhobo clarified that his comments were not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary made in the public interest.
He stressed that his position was based on verifiable facts and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I state unequivocally that my statement is not defamatory,” he said. “I only called on the appropriate authorities to investigate Sheikh Gumi’s public utterances, engagements, and advocacy on behalf of armed terrorists.”
Go to court, not threats, says Omirhobo to Gumi
Omirhobo maintained that he had not accused Gumi of being a terrorist but merely exercised his civic responsibility under the law.
He emphasized that if Gumi believed his reputation had been tarnished, the courts, not intimidation were the appropriate avenue for redress.
“If Sheikh Gumi believes he has been defamed, the proper forum is a court of competent jurisdiction, not intimidation through threats or ultimatums,” he stated. “I stand by my statement. I refuse to retract it. No individual, cleric or otherwise, is above the law.”
The lawyer reaffirmed his stance that public figures who appear to defend or justify acts of terrorism should be subject to scrutiny by the authorities.
“I reaffirm that defending, pacifying, or providing justification for terrorists who are killing Nigerians raises legitimate national security concerns that deserve investigation, not silence,” Omirhobo declared.
