Nigerian lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has alleged that recent statements by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi amount to promoting terrorism, an offense punishable under Nigerian law by up to 20 years in prison. Adeyanju is calling for Gumi's prosecution under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Gumi's Controversial Interview
Adeyanju's remarks followed an interview Gumi gave on AIT on May 19, 2026, during which the cleric urged Nigerians to learn to coexist with terrorists. Gumi stated: "They are under pressure to fight government, government that has helicopter and has been bombarding. They need all the money they're getting from kidnapping. It's not like they are living luxurious lives. The government is putting too much pressure on them so they need money to finance their war machines."
Legal Basis for Prosecution
Reacting to these comments, Adeyanju explained that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 does not only punish those who physically carry out terrorist attacks but also criminalizes acts capable of encouraging, justifying, promoting, or supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. "The Act broadly defines support to include incitement, ideological encouragement, public advocacy, dissemination of materials capable of advancing violent causes, and even moral or verbal backing for persons engaged in acts of terror," he said.
He added: "Specifically, Section 13 of the Act criminalises soliciting for, rendering support to, or associating with terrorist groups, with punishment ranging up to imprisonment for a term not less than 20 years."
Double Standards Alleged
Adeyanju further questioned what he described as a double standard in the treatment of Sheikh Gumi compared to Nnamdi Kanu. "The Federal Government has consistently argued that Kanu's broadcasts and public comments amounted to incitement and support for unlawful violence, forming part of the basis for his prosecution under anti-terrorism laws. It is therefore not out of place to argue that Sheikh Gumi's repeated public defence of armed bandits, his sympathetic rhetoric towards violent groups, and comments perceived as excusing or rationalising their atrocities should equally attract serious legal scrutiny under the Act," Adeyanju stated.
Equal Application of Law
Adeyanju emphasized that in a country like Nigeria, where terrorists and bandits have killed innocent citizens, displaced communities, and destabilized entire regions, the law must be applied equally, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
