A human right activist was ordered out of the court for wearing a Beatles T-shirt in the Sharia Court in Kaduna state, Nigeria .
For Shehu Sani, President of the Kaduna state, Nigeria based Civil Rights Congress (CRC), it is his duty to protect and uphold human rights whether in a civilian or military administration. That is why he often incurs the wrath of the authorities. During the military era, he was in jail several times and was said to have even stayed in the same jail with late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. His offence was nothing but being vocal and very active in pursuit of a much better society where everybody would enjoy the goodness of life.
In Kaduna and other states in the Northern Nigeria where they operate, the CRC under Shehu Sani used to defy all odds and stand in defense of the down trodden especially in courts, as was exemplified when they worked to mobilize lawyers to stand for Baba Masaba, the man in Niger state reported to have many wives. A few years ago, Sani and his CRC fought for the freedom of about six people who stood in court and were to have their limbs amputated. One of the culprits only stole a bag of maize.
Last week in Kaduna, there was a mild drama at a Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari Kaduna as the Jugde, Alkali Lawal Ibrahim sent the civil rights activist, Malam Shehu Sani out of the courtroom because he was wearing a T-shirt depicting the portrait of popular music group the Beatles.
The Beatles were a group of Four musicians who were as popular as the Jackson 5 especially in Europe and the Americas between the 1960’s and the 70’s.They were loved mostly by youths and till date, many remember them and cherish souvenirs that carried their portrait.
The Shari’a judge said he had no reason to allow Shehu Sani, who either by accident or design wore the Beatles T-shirt, remained in the court room. He even threatened to charge him for contempt if he stayed any longer.
According to him the T-shirt of the Beatles is against the teachings of Islam and he will not allow a man to defile Islam.
While narrating his ordeal, Sani said he and other rights activists were in the court to observe the proceedings and render assistance to those that may need legal services but could not afford to do so.
Nevertheless, on sighting Shehu Sani in his courtroom, the judge took offence and told him that the T-shirt he was wearing which had the Beatles portrait was against the religion of Islam and the Northern culture and tradition of Nigeria.
The judge explained further that the attitude of the Beatles and other similar musicians would not augur well to their culture and religion, adding that he was not deliberately stopping Sani from coming to the court because he knew him as a renowned civil rights leader in the North.
“But in my capacity as a Shari’a judge, the T shirt Shehu Sani is putting on with the picture of the Beatles is offensive, I know them and the kind of music they played was not for public peace and was against the authorities. They are four devil minded personalities in the west,” he said.
The judge added, “Sometimes on the 26th of November 1969, one of the Beatles, John Lennon returned his knighthood of MBE to the Queen of England and his reason was that he was against British involvement in the then Nigerian civil war.”
The judge was of the view that John Lennon’s position was being subversive to the British government because British involvement in the Nigerian civil war assisted Nigeria tremendously to restore peace and orderliness.
“John Lennon was with the Beatles, he is not to be emulated, he is not a role model, I won’t tolerate putting on a T shirt with his portrait,” he roared.
Shehu Sani politely told the Judge that they were not in court for any judicial or moral interpretation of the Beatles, however, to monitor proceedings and see where they could come in and assist the less privileged.
“John Lennon was a man of peace and the Beatles in the T shirt I am wearing were neither trouble makers nor against the religion of Islam and our values.”
Sani said that the Beatles were successful young men who were great entertainers and offered to bring some of the Beatles CDs to the judge so that he may watch, thus throwing the entire court room into general laughter.
However, the judge insisted that Sani must leave the courtroom or be charged for contempt; Sani said he respected the pronouncement of the judge but would never accept that the Beatles were bad as portrayed.
For now, the development remained a topic of discuss in Kaduna. While Sani remained undeterred and had vowed to continue fighting for the down trodden, the public has kept its fingers crossed to await further explanations on the matter from the public court.
