…Says Devil Took Over Him, Seeks Apology
…Forgiveness Is from Allah – Religious Leaders
Daud Olatunji
Veteran radio anchor Ibrahim Adesola Aremu, popularly known as Akamara, on Saturday, retracted in its entirety a viral series of voice notes accusing one Alhaji Owokomago of collecting pilgrims’ Ihram cloths for ritual purposes.
Speaking at a reconciliation meeting convened by the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yoruba Land (Edo and Delta), Sheik Iskeel Lawal Sugar, the broadcaster admitted that “all the phone call conversations were staged” and pleaded for forgiveness from both religious authorities and Allah.
Akamara, who has been on air for nearly 35 years, described his actions as “a regrettable action” that “feels as if I am eating the flesh of my brother.”
He told stakeholders that he had been under spiritual influence, confessing that “there is no one Shaytan (Satan) cannot manipulate” and that “I once spent six months with a woman, leaving my family for six months. I was under a spell.”
“My intention with this programme was not to tarnish the image of Islam,” the broadcaster stressed.
“The most regrettable thing for me was mentioning Owode-Yewa. The cause of this matter was a caller who chose Owode-Yewa, believing it was too far.”
He went on to admit bluntly: “I lied about it. It did not happen. It is not true that they collected the Ihram cloth. It is not true that people used Ihram cloth for rituals.”
Akamara reminded the gathering of his long record in service of Islam: “I was born in Sagamu. I have been working in broadcasting for about 35 years. I will mark 35 years on stage next January.
“ The Akamara programme on radio has been used to liberate the people. I am not an enemy of Islam.”
He cited his role in exposing the rogue cleric Sheikh Madawa in Badagry—“who was damaging the image of Islam and had over 10,000 followers.
“He called himself God. Today, Madawa is dead; it was as a result of the efforts of Akamara”—as evidence of his good works.
In closing, he appealed directly to the faith community: “I want to seek two favours: 1. I want religious leaders to forgive me. 2. I want Allah to forgive me.”
Sheik Iskeel Lawal Sugar, who presided over the gathering of clerics, lawyers and journalists, underscored the broader fallout of the forged allegations.
“There is no one by the name Lukman Owokomago in the entire Owode-Idiroko,” he declared, warning that misinformation was threatening to derail legitimate Hajj sponsorship.
A prominent donor had confided, he said, that “they might stop sponsoring people for Hajj. They would instead be buying cars and motorcycles for people in place of sponsoring them for Hajj because people now believe that those who sponsor pilgrims are doing so for ritual purposes.”
To counter the chilling effect on Hajj facilitation, Sheik Lawal recounted his own track record: “God has used me to send 102 people to Hajj, either through my personal efforts or through sponsorship. On a yearly basis, I send 18 people; sometimes 19 people; sometimes 11 or 13 people.”
He appealed: “I appeal to those who facilitate Hajj sponsorship not to be discouraged from sending people to Hajj.”
He added that as recently at the Hajj board meeting that morning, “someone told me that the matter is so serious that someone in Lagos, who usually sends 30 people to Hajj every year, has stopped because of the rumour that Ihram cloths are being used for rituals, to avoid being blackmailed.”
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the clerics opted for leniency.
“We decided to be lenient with this man because he has confessed and apologized,” Sheik Lawal Sugar said.
“Ordinarily, I would not have taken it easy with him as Wakeel, but he has apologized and confessed. As human beings, we cannot truly forgive anyone except through Allah.”
He and other religious leaders implored bloggers and broadcasters to “desist or be ready to go to jail” should they resort to spreading falsehoods for monetisation.
Representatives at the meeting included the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, the Chief Imam of Owode Yewa, the Ad-hoc Chairman of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Board Sheikh Ishaq Olorungbebe, and Sheikh Fasasi Akeukanwo, among others.
They joined Sheik Lawal Sugar in appealing to all Muslims, especially in Yewa Land and Ogun State, “to forgive the man and continue to be good Muslims that we are.”
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