The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) says there is no state chapters of the organisation and no group or association is authorised to bear that duly registered name in any state.
President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar II said this in a statement by Chairman, NSCIA Media Committee, Femi Abbas, on Friday.
“Some charlatans claiming to be Muslim scholars/clerics, have been parading themselves as leaders of Nigerian Supreme for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in some States, especially in the South-west of Nigeria,” the statement said.
“Through the use of that nomenclature, such charlatans are said to be clandestinely affiliating themselves to certain political demagogues for the purpose of gaining personal benefits.
“As the apex body for the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) hereby officially declares as follows: That the NSCIA has no branches at the state level and no group or Association is authorised to bear that duly registered name in any state.
“That the Muslim Communities in any state in Nigeria, which legally form the components of NSCIA are either called State Muslim Council or State Muslim Community by name and such State Councils or Communities must have duly registered with the apex body and recognised as members of the NSCIA.
“That any group that uses Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) as its name or parades itself as such at the state level, should be considered as a fraudster that can be legally treated as a criminal.
“That the public should therefore disregard any such group as an impersonator or fraudulent impostor that should be reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action
“That the state and local governments throughout the country, as well as Muslim organisations and corporate bodies should take note of this public information.”
