. Senator Moro demands release from detention
A lawmaker, Senator Abba Moro, has demanded the unconditional release of one Elijah Odeh, a young barber from his constituency currently detained in Kano State over hairstyles.
Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said in a statement by his media office in Abuja on Sunday that the barber was allegedly arrested for cutting different hairstyles for his customers, an action considered to be offensive to Islam.
The lawmaker said the barber, who is from Adum East in the Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, was arrested a few days ago by a group of Muslims for allegedly cutting a hairstyle for two of his customers, which they deemed insulting to Islam and the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
He said the young barber was currently undergoing trial in Gyadi-Gyadi Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kano State.
Moro stated that the barber had been denied bail inspite of the intervention by the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, and his Kano State counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, adding that the arrest and continued detention of the young barber was unacceptable and unconstitutional.
He said the action was an infringement on the young man’s rights to live and do business in any part of the country without molestation and harassment.
Senator Moro said, “None of my constituents will suffer unjustly anywhere, as long as I remain their 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 the barber, who is also a student, was first arrested on January 15, 2021 and rearrested last Wednesday, January 27, after two of his customers were again caught with the alleged offensive hairstyles.
Elijah was detained by the Shariah police, Hisbah corps, for allegedly giving his customers haircuts declared offensive to the Islamic faith in the Sabon Gari area of the state.