An Ibadan Federal High Court has convicted Olarenwaju John Ifagbemi for burning the Holy Quran, sentencing him to three months in prison.
Ifagbemi, identified as a traditionalist, was charged with insulting religion under Section 204 of the Criminal Code Act. Delivering the verdict, Justice N. U. Agomoh ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The conviction takes effect from January 7, 2025.
Ifagbemi was arrested by the Oyo State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Iseyin Local Government Area earlier in January. His arrest followed a video he posted online showing himself burning a Quran.
The incident occurred amid efforts by Islamic clerics to establish a Sharia court in Oyo town, raising concerns that his actions could incite religious unrest.
A source in the area credited the DSS’s swift intervention with preventing further tensions.
“The Service’s quick arrest of the traditionalist who publicly burned the Quran and shared it online helped de-escalate tensions,” the source said.
A senior court official noted that the judge was able to deliver a ruling within a month due to the DSS’s strong case, which was filed under charge number FHC/IB/4c/2025.
In a separate case, Justice N. E. Maha of the Ibadan Federal High Court has sentenced Babangida Ummaru, a convicted terrorist and kidnapping kingpin, to 60 years in prison without the option of a fine.
Ummaru was initially arraigned on two charges, later amended after the DSS gathered additional evidence. The court found him guilty on three counts of terrorism and kidnapping under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, while discharging him on four other counts.
Legal experts consider the 60-year sentence a landmark ruling that strengthens enforcement of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
