Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has countered the Federal Government, saying no one finances terrorism in Nigeria.
Gumi, on his X handle on Thursday faulted the list, saying the security agencies had no right to label anyone a terrorist financier.
He insisted that no Nigerian would finance terrorism, adding that the terrorists finance their operations with ransom fund they extort from kidnapped victims’ families.
“No Nigerian will put his money into terrorism, we’re beyond that. These people are financing themselves by taking our children for ransom.
“So, how can we say some people are financing terrorism because there is a misunderstanding?”
Dr Gumi added that “Now they are looking for N1 billion for these children (kidnap victims) to be released. They (terrorists) financed themselves by kidnapping. I think it’s rubbish to just frame your political opponents as financing terrorism.”
Speaking on Manu, Gumi said the embattled publisher should be punished if found guilty by a court of law and not court of public opinion.
“Mamu’s case is in the court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state if he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.
“Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” he added.
