The Hausa Native Advancement and Development Initiative, HANADI, has called on the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, SCSN, to allow security agencies to carry out any lawful investigation concerning Senator Shehu Buba Umar without religious or political interference.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, HANADI said it was responding to a recent position attributed to the SCSN concerning allegations surrounding the senator and an alleged attempt by the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate him.
The group argued that questions involving national security should be handled through established constitutional and legal processes, rather than through religious, ethnic or political considerations.
HANADI acknowledged the right of the Islamic body to express an opinion but maintained that security agencies have statutory responsibilities to investigate threats to national security and should be allowed to perform those duties within the law.
The organisation stressed that an investigation does not amount to a declaration of guilt, adding that any person facing allegations is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
According to the group, religious organisations have an important role in promoting moral values, peace and social responsibility. Still, they should be careful not to appear to obstruct legitimate investigations by state institutions.
HANADI said Nigeria’s constitutional framework requires equal treatment of citizens regardless of ethnicity or religion.
It therefore urged the SCSN and other organisations to allow the appropriate security and judicial institutions to determine whether allegations against any individual have merit.
The group also criticised what it described as attempts to introduce ethnic considerations into security-related matters.
HANADI alleged that the SCSN’s position could be interpreted as defending Senator Buba on ethnic or religious grounds. However, that is HANADI’s assessment of the council’s position and not an independently established fact.
The organisation maintained that allegations involving banditry, violent crime or threats to national security should be investigated regardless of the ethnic or religious identity of those mentioned.
The controversy highlights an important distinction between an allegation, an investigation and a conviction.
Senator Shehu Buba Umar has not been established as guilty of the criminal activities referenced in HANADI’s statement. Any allegations against him would have to be supported by evidence and tested through the appropriate legal process.
That principle is particularly important in politically sensitive security matters, where public statements can easily be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing before investigators or courts have reached any conclusion.
HANADI said its concern was that legitimate security investigations should not be frustrated by pressure from influential organisations.
At the same time, security agencies are also expected to conduct investigations professionally, respect constitutional rights and avoid treating accusations as evidence of guilt.
HANADI linked its position to the wider security challenges confronting northern Nigeria, including banditry, insurgency and other forms of organised violence.
The group said that dealing with those challenges requires cooperation among communities, religious institutions, and security agencies rather than actions that could deepen ethnic or religious divisions.
It called on the SCSN to support an impartial process in which evidence, rather than identity or political affiliation, determines whether anyone should face prosecution.
The dispute matters because it touches on two sensitive issues in Nigeria: national security and confidence in the rule of law.
Nigerians have repeatedly demanded stronger action against individuals suspected of supporting violent groups, but credible security enforcement also depends on fairness, evidence, and respect for due process.
Religious and traditional institutions remain influential in many communities and can play important roles in promoting peace. However, their intervention in active security controversies can generate debate over where advocacy ends and interference with official investigations begins.
The most important test will therefore be whether any allegations concerning Senator Buba are handled transparently, lawfully and without prejudice.
HANADI said it remained committed to peace, justice and equal treatment of Nigerians under the law, while urging all parties to avoid politicising security matters.
