Zamfara Govt Denies Claim of Sharia Trial Over Woman’s Religious Conversion

The Zamfara State Government has firmly denied claims circulating online that a woman named Zainab Muhamadu is facing trial in a Sharia court for converting to Christianity.

In an official statement, the spokesperson to the state governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the report as entirely false and a product of social media misinformation designed to stir religious tension and generate web traffic.

“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to mischievous fake news circulating about a 22-year-old Miss Zainab Muhamadu, who is facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity,” the statement read.

“We want to categorically state that it is the handiwork of enemies of peace, who are hellbent on creating a tension where there is none.”

According to Idris, the government conducted thorough investigations involving all relevant authorities and security agencies, and found no evidence of such a case.

“The fake news, which was spread on social media by an online platform notorious for circulating unverified stories and falsehoods, is nothing more than a failed attempt to disrupt peace,” he stated.

The government emphasized that it reached out to the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, who confirmed that no such case has ever existed before any Sharia court in the state.

“To ensure accountability and certainty, the state government has confirmed with the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal regarding any similar cases. He stated that there has never been such a case before any Shari’a court in Zamfara State.”

Questioning the origin and motive behind the false report, Idris asked:

“The question is, where does this perilous and divisive narrative originate? What are its underlying motives? What do those promoting this story hope to accomplish in the long run?”

He expressed concern about the state of journalism in the digital age, where unverified social media content is too often republished without verification.

“We are living in intriguing times. Media platforms that should provide the public with verified stories are becoming complacent, merely copying and pasting content from social media accounts eager for likes and comments,” he said.

Further discrediting the story, the statement revealed that the photo used to support the false report is not of a Nigerian woman. “The woman whose picture was used in the ‘fake news’ is not Nigerian. Her name is Aalia, and she is from Texas, United States.”

Concluding the statement, the Zamfara State Government emphasized its commitment to peace and truth, and called on authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for the disinformation.

“The Zamfara State Government believes it is essential to clarify that nothing of this nature is happening in the state. This situation exemplifies yellow journalism that we must all denounce.

We urge the relevant security agencies to investigate the source of this fake, misguided story, which seeks to create significant religious tension, and prosecute anyone found responsible. We must all do our part to ensure the peace of this country.”

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