Dr. Sharafdeen Gbadebo Raji, the Ogbomoso-based Islamic cleric at the center of a criminal complaint over alleged defamatory statements about Ilorin’s religious practices, has filed a cross-complaint accusing his accuser, Shaykh Abu Sheriff of Gambari, Ilorin, of defamation, injurious falsehood, and filing a false criminal charge.
The cross-complaint, dated June 27, 2025, was submitted by Dr. Raji’s legal representatives and addressed to the Honourable Judges of Upper Area Court 3, Pake, Ilorin.
In the petition, Dr. Raji alleges that the direct criminal complaint filed against him by Shaykh Abu Sheriff (Case No: UACIV/CRF/75/2025) contains “spurious, unfounded, and baseless allegations” intended to mislead the court and damage his reputation as a respected Islamic scholar and Director of Al-Madeena Islamic Centre, Ogbomoso.
Specifically, Dr. Raji’s counsel asserts that the complaint by Shaykh Abu Sheriff amounts to:
Defamation under Section 392 of the Penal Code, by unjustly injuring Dr. Raji’s reputation;
Injurious falsehood under Section 393, by spreading false statements with malicious intent;
False charge under Section 180, for knowingly initiating criminal proceedings based on fabricated allegations.
The petition stresses that Dr. Raji, known for his scholarly contributions to Islamic education across Nigeria, has been unfairly targeted and his reputation tarnished by the accusations circulating in Ilorin and on social media.
“We assert that the Cross-Defendant’s actions were carried out deliberately to mislead this Honourable Court and to unjustly portray the Cross-Complainant as an enemy of Ilorin Emirate’s religious identity,” Dr. Raji’s counsel stated in the document.
The cross-complaint asks the Honourable Court to take judicial notice of the alleged falsehood and to commence legal action against Shaykh Abu Sheriff in accordance with the relevant sections of the Penal Code.
This latest filing marks an escalation in the legal battle that has gripped the Ilorin Muslim community since the original video surfaced online, sparking controversy and outrage over claims about idolatrous practices in the city.
