*MURIC says Pastor, Soldier son to be held responsible if anything happens to family
The Muslim family that was brutally attacked by the Iseyin-Oyo State based Pastor, Stephen Kolawole and his soldier son, on Eid Day, June 16, 2024 have cried for help over continuous threats to their lives.
They decried efforts by Pastor and some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intimidate them through threat calls and messages in a bid to make them withdraw the case from court.
Muslim News reports that the Pastor, his son and others still at large have been dragged before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, house-breaking, stealing, and criminal assault against Mal. Sulaimon and his family.
The Chief Magistrate, however, granted the accused bail and adjourned the case to 27th September for a possible amicable settlement out of court.
Muslim News gathered that immediately after they were granted bail, an audio interview of a man who identified himself as one of the leaders of CAN in Iseyin went viral, threatening the Muslim family to withdraw the case or face a “full war”.
The man and head of the family, Mallam Abdul Azeez Sulaimon, confirmed to Muslim News on Wednesday, July 24, that they’re getting threat calls on a number of occasions to withdraw the case from court.
He added that aside the calls, he observes suspicious movements around his house, even at odd hours of the night, as he beefed up security around his house since the June 16 occurrence.
Mal. Sulaimon noted that he is a strong believer in the Nigerian judicial system, stressing that he is leaving the case for the court to dish out justice.
He said: “Their plan is to make us withdraw the case from court. They have said that on different occasions and over the phone. I don’t want any trouble, that’s why I’ve left the matter in the court.
“I still observe strange movements around the house, I have beefed up the security of my house because of the incident. We even noticed prying eyes each time we walk on the street.” He said.
If anything happens to the family, the pastor and son should be held responsible: MURIC
An Islamic human rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), having been on the case from inception, held a press conference at her office in Lagos on Wednesday, 24th July 2024, condemning the continuous threats to life of the Muslim family by the Pastor immediately after granted bail by the Court.
The civil rights organisation, avoiding conversations on the already in court case, described the recent development as one that needs to be brought to the notice of the public.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC pleaded with the Muslims in Iseyin to be law-abiding as always, especially at a time like this.
He said: “Distinguished brothers and sisters, gentlemen of the press, the main victim of the Salah Day attack, Alfa Abdul Azeez Sulaiman, has been receiving threat calls on telephone after the appearance in court. This is why we are here today.
“It is important to note that this issue of threat to the victim is a recent development and we find it mandatory to inform the general public. They are threatening him on the phone. They are asking him to withdraw the case from the court otherwise something unpalatable would happen to him.
“We, hereby, make it known to all and sundry, particularly the security agencies, that Pastor Stephen Kolawole and his soldier son, Damilola Stephen, should be held responsible if anything untoward should happen to Alfa Abdul Azeez Sulaiman, his two wives and any member of his family.
“We appeal to Muslims in Iseyin town in particular and Oyo State in general to remain peaceful, calm and law abiding.”
