An Upper Shari’a Court in Kano presided over by Malam Ibrahim Sarki-Yola has ordered the Kano State Government to recall a prosecution witness for re-cross-examination in an alleged blasphemy case against an embattled Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabara.

Nasiru-Kabara is facing four counts bordering on blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad, which he allegedly made on August 10, October 25 and December 20, 2019.

The defendant was alleged to have made a blasphemous comment against Prophet Muhammad in his marriage with Nana Safiyya in Jautul Fara, Section 93 (40) and Hadith 1,365 and 1,428.

The defence counsel, Ambali Obomeileh-Muhammad, SAN, urged the court to recall the PW1 to be re-cross examined according to the provisions of Section 36(5) 6(a) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“I was not in court when the PW1 gave his evidence. When I went through the evidence, I found out that witness number one needs to be re-cross-examined,” he said.

However, the prosecution counsel, Suraj Sa’eda, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application as the defence did not give reasons for the witness’ recall.

“The PW1 has been discharged and is currently schooling in Niger Republic,” he said.