Shettima: Legal practitioner raises alarm over “fake clerics”, invites IGP to probe the show of shame

Desmond T. Orisewezie, a legal practitioner, has expressed his concern over alleged religious impersonation during the introduction of Alhaji Shettima as the APC’s vice presidential candidate. However, he mentioned a law that forbade such actions.

Voice Air Media had earlier reported that, after a delay caused by the Osun state governorship election, the All Progressive Congress (APC) planned to announce Shettima as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s running mate. On July 20, 2022, in Abuja, the party holds a program to officially introduce Shettima.

Following the arrival of the party’s executives, bishops were present as usual to witness APC official declaration of its vice presidential candidate. The general public, however, suggested that the so-called bishops are fake.

Since then, Desmond Orisewezie and other esteemed professionals and politicians have been paying close attention to the incident in Abuja.

In a statement by Desmond, he called the police attention to investigate on the incident and urged them to take a fast action with a slight description of the incidence as a desperate acts which should be abolished.

Below is his full statement;

REQUEST TO THE IGP TO ORDER INVESTIGATION AND ARREST PHOTOGRAPHED SUSPECTS WITH RESPECT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A COMMISSION OF CRIME

Dear Inspector General of Police,

You may not be unaware that the news media have been occupied with information making the rounds that certain questionable characters were present at Abuja for the unveiling of Sen. Kashim Shettima as APC Vice Presidential Candidate earlier today. This is a normal political party process but certain issues are of significance here.

These persons paraded themselves as religious leaders of the christain faith, while, I may not be in a position to either confirm or deny the veracity of the actual status of these persons.

They have been identified by members of the public as being different from what they represent, thereby giving rise to disaffection by members of the public especially those of the christain faith.

To maintain public order and decency, it would be helpful to have your office investigate this report especially due to the fact that it has propensity to cause religious problems for the country if desperate acts like this persists.

May i draw your attention sir to a few provisions of our criminal law which might be relevant in this situation. The Penal Code which governs Abuja will be instructive for this purpose.

Insult to a religion…..Section 204 of the Penal Code Act of Nigeria

Any person who does an act which any class of persons consider as a public insult on their religion, with the intention that they should consider the act such an insult, and any person who does an unlawful act with the knowledge that any class of persons will consider it such an insult, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.

Attempts to commit offences … Section 508 of the Penal Code Act of Nigeria

Any person who attempts to commit a felony or misdemeanor, is guilty of an offence which, unless otherwise stated, is a misdemeanor.

I trust you will use your good office to help address these issues.

Regards,

Desmond T. Orisewezie
Legal Practitoner

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