JIBWIS Gives Zazzau Emirate Council 30-Day Ultimatum Over 'Unlawful' Closure of 8 Mosques in Zaria


ZARIA, KADUNA STATE— The Incorporated Trustees of Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis-Sunnah (JIBWIS) has issued a 30-day pre-action notice to the Zazzau Emirate Council, demanding the immediate reopening of eight mosques allegedly shut down on the Council’s orders.

The religious body is threatening legal action if the Council fails to comply, describing the closures as a violation of constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Details of the impending legal dispute were made public in a formal Pre-Action Notice/Demand letter dated June 8, 2026, authored by A.T. Abubakar & Associates (Idris Ibrahim Memorial Chambers).

'Unlawful and Unconstitutional' Closures

According to the legal document, the Zazzau Emirate Council allegedly ordered the closure of eight mosques within Zaria and its environs. JIBWIS maintains that the mosques were lawfully built, maintained, and managed by its members in line with Islamic principles and Nigerian law.



In the notice, JIBWIS argues that neither the Zazzau Emirate Council nor the Emir of Zazzau has the constitutional, statutory, administrative, or customary authority to shut down places of worship or interfere with the religious activities of any Muslim community.



Legal and Constitutional Grounding

JIBWIS’s legal team cited several provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended):

- Section 38(1): Guarantees every person the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to manifest and propagate religion in public or private.

- Section 42(1): Prohibits discrimination based on religion and guarantees equal protection under the law.  

- Section 5(2): Vests executive powers solely in the State Governor and authorized state officers.


The letter contends that because the Emirate Council is not an organ of government and holds no executive or legislative powers, its directives on the mosques are “null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.” The law firm further warned that the closures represent a “grave violation” of fundamental rights that could trigger avoidable religious tension in the community.


Demands and 30-Day Window 

JIBWIS has set out four non-negotiable demands:

1. Immediate and unconditional reopening of all eight closed mosques.

2. Immediate withdrawal of all orders, directives, or circulars restricting the establishment or operation of JIBWIS mosques or any other Muslim group in Zaria.

3. Written assurance from the Emirate Council that JIBWIS’s right to worship will be respected and legally protected.

4. Firm assurance that there will be no further harassment, intimidation, or interference with the group’s religious activities.

“TAKE NOTICE that this correspondence is a Pre-Action Notice. Our client will seek redress in a Court of Law if you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with the above demands within thirty (30) days from the date hereof,” the notice stated.

The pre-action notice, signed by A.T. Abubakar Esq. (Notary Public), has been copied to key security and state authorities. Recipients include the Office of the Governor of Kaduna State, the Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State, the Department of State Services (DSS) Zaria office, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Zaria, and the leadership of the Atta’awun Islamic Trust.

The Zazzau Emirate Council has yet to issue an official response to the notice.

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