By AHAMEFULA OGBU

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar II-led Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), yesterday disowned bodies operating under its name at the states level and dismissed them as charlatans masquerading for political gains that should not be taken seriously.

The Sultan, through Femi Abbas, Chairman, NSCIA Media Committee, explained in a special press statement that there were no state chapters of the body, especially in the South-west, warning that any group that wanted to operate under its umbrella must seek formal registration.

“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.

“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,” the body said.

It further enjoined all faithful to disseminate the information by any means possible to ensure the impostor group was stopped from unscrupulous use of the name of the body. (THISDAY)

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