Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abba Moro, has demanded the release of his constituent, Elijah Odeh, who was allegedly arrested and detained for barbing “blasphemous” hairstyles in Kano state.
The lawmaker made the demand on Sunday in Abuja.
He mentioned that the barber, who hails from Adum East in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, was recently tried in Gyadi-Gyadi Magistrate court in Kano State and detained by a group of Muslims some days ago on the allegations that the haircut on two of his client was offensive to the Holy Prophet Mohammed and to Islam.
Moro claimed that the bail request was declined in spite of the intervention of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
He made it clear Odeh was not only arrested but also imprisoned, which is definitely unacceptable and unconstitutional.
The senator revealed that this action was a breach of rights on the barber to live and go around his business in any part of the country without abuse and harassment.
Moro said; “None of my constituents will suffer unjustly anywhere, as long as I remain the Senator.
I will also follow up on the case, with all the seriousness it deserves, until justice is served on Elijah, who I believe, has done nothing wrong by being creative and innovative.”
Recall that Odeh, who is also a student, was first detained on January 15, 2021 and was again detained for the second time on Wednesday, January 27th, 2021, owing to the fact that two of his clients were seen with different hairstyles considered to be “blasphemous” to the Islamic religion.
The barber was arrested by the Kano State Hisbah Board in Sabon Gari, Kano State.