I don’t know that burning the Qur’an is an offense – Traditionalist, Tani begs Muslim community after arrest

Abdulazeez Adegbola, a renowned traditionalist known as Tani Olohun, has sought forgiveness from the Muslim community for purportedly burning the Qur’an and defaming certain Muslims in Kwara State. Tani Olorun made this appeal during his court appearance after being granted bail on Thursday, Nov. 16.

The charges against Tani Olorun, brought before Magistrate Adam on Thursday, were filed by Sheikh Labeeb Lagbaji and Modrasat Muhammed led by Professor Abubakar Aliagan. The allegations included the burning of the Qur’an and other offenses.

Addressing the court, Tani Olorun, an adherent of Isese, pleaded with “Alfa Labeeb,” one of the complainants, and the Muslim community for his actions. He expressed remorse, stating that he was unaware that burning the Qur’an was an offense. Upon learning of it, he promptly removed the video of the incident from his social media handle within a minute.

He said, “I don’t know that burning the Qur’an is an offense, and when I was told, I immediately pulled down the video of the incident from my social media handle in less than a minute. 

“I beg all my prosecutors and the Muslims all over to forgive me, and I promised I would not repeat such an act again of posting negative videos on social media handles.” 

He was, however, granted bail in the sum of N2 million and required three sureties in the same amount. Two of the sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction or in Oyo State, the court ruled. The case was adjourned to January 9, 2024.

The complainants’ counsel, Taofeeq Olateju and Y.Y Ajibade, did not oppose the bail application presented by Tani Olohun’s counsel, Barrister Ademola Banks.