By Idris Mustapha Babalola
The Muslim community in Oyo State has expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in justice for AbdulAzeez Sulaiman, who was brutally attacked by a pastor, his son, and a group of soldiers in Oke Imuse, Iseyin, on June 16, 2024. Despite the case being in court for nine months, justice has yet to be served.
According to reports, AbdulAzeez Sulaiman, his two wives, and other family members were attacked while slaughtering a cow for the Eid-el-Kabir (Eleyaa) festival in front of their house at the Barracks area of Iseyin. The attackers allegedly descended on them with weapons, leaving Sulaiman and his family members seriously wounded.
Since the incident, the Muslim community has consistently called for justice, decrying the slow pace of the judicial process. Despite multiple hearings, no significant progress has been made in holding the perpetrators accountable.
Speaking on the matter, Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, an executive member of the Muslim community in Oyo State, condemned the lack of urgency in prosecuting the case, warning that justice delayed is justice denied.
“I am deeply concerned about the slow pace of justice and the lack of accountability for the perpetrators. The court must expedite the case and ensure justice is served without further delay,” Agunbiade stated.
He further urged relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attack face the full weight of the law.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman’s family continue to struggle with the aftermath of the attack, both physically and emotionally. One of his wives, who also sustained injuries, lamented the trauma and fear that still lingers.
“We live in fear, knowing that those who attacked us have not been punished. We just want justice so that we can move on with our lives,” she said.
The Muslim community has vowed to intensify its advocacy until justice is served. They have called on the judiciary to expedite the case, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and human rights organizations to intervene, and the government and security agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Agunbiade further emphasized that injustice anywhere is a threat to humanity, stressed that failure to punish such attacks could encourage religious intolerance and impunity.
As the case remains in court, the affected community awaits a fair and speedy resolution, urging the authorities to uphold the rule of law and protect all citizens, regardless of their religious background.
