Popular Islamic Cleric, Gbadebo Raji, 3 Others Face Criminal Complaint Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks on Ilorin’s Religious Practices

Dr. Sharafdeen Gbadebo Raji, an Ogbomoso-based Islamic cleric, alongside Adam Abdulrauf, popularly known as Alfa Adam Adangba, and two others identified as Ibrahim and Abdul Wasii, are facing a direct criminal complaint before the Upper Area Court 3, Pake, Ilorin, over allegations of defamation and incitement stemming from a controversial video circulating on social media.

The complaint, filed on June 23, 2025, by a coalition of lawyers representing Shaykh Abu Sheriff and the Ilorin Muslim community.

The four men are accused of criminal conspiracy, defamation, disturbance of public peace, injurious falsehood, and inciting hatred between religious groups — all offenses under the Penal Code Law applicable in Kwara State.

As contained in a charge sheet sighted by this platform, they are required to appear in person before the court by 3rd of July, 2025.

According to the complaint, the accused persons participated in a pre-recorded video session that has since gone viral, in which they allegedly made false and provocative statements about Ilorin’s religious practices.

Among the claims cited in the petition were allegations that Ilorin indigenes worship traditional deities like “Oro,” celebrate idolatrous festivals such as “Ijesu,” revere burial grounds, and engage in other practices deemed contrary to Islamic teachings.

The legal filing specifically names Dr. Raji as the individual who coordinated and facilitated the session, alleging that he prompted speakers, endorsed their statements, and rewarded them with gifts, actions described by the complainants as deliberate attempts to discredit the Ilorin Muslim community.

Principal Counsel Dr. J.F. Yusuph, leading a team of over a dozen lawyers, stated in the complaint that the video’s content has caused significant outrage, emotional distress, and reputational damage to Ilorin Muslims, adding that it poses a serious risk to public peace in a city where religion is closely tied to identity.