A cleric based in the United Kingdom, Rev. Nick Donnelly, has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for controversial Nigerian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over what he described as long-standing religious extremism and open justification of violent crimes.
Donnelly made the demand on Monday in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, criticising Gumi for his recent remarks dismissing claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria and defending the activities of armed herders involved in kidnappings.
His reaction followed Gumi’s latest public comments in which he insisted there was “no Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In another viral video, the cleric said: “Herdsmen are not like the Indigenous People of Biafra; they are kidnapping children to make money. Let’s be fair with them.”
Rev. Donnelly said such remarks were not only dangerous but amounted to open support for groups involved in mass abductions and terror attacks.
He argued that the Islamic cleric should face international prosecution.
“Gumi supports ‘herdsmen’, aka Islamist terrorists, kidnapping children to make money.
“The ICC needs to issue an arrest warrant on charges of crimes against humanity. Gumi needs to stand trial in The Hague,” Donnelly stated.
Sheikh Gumi has long been accused by critics of pushing extremist religious narratives and adopting positions seen as sympathetic to armed bandit groups in Northern Nigeria.
His regular advocacy on behalf of these groups, often urging government negotiations and describing their actions as economically driven rather than ideological, has repeatedly sparked public outrage.
His controversial profile was further heightened after he was reportedly repatriated from Saudi Arabia recently during a Hajj trip.
Saudi authorities were said to have become uncomfortable with some of his teachings and perceived extremist rhetoric, leading to his return to Nigeria for monitoring by local authorities. Gumi has never publicly denied his repatriation, though he insists his preaching is aimed at peacebuilding.
While the ICC has yet to respond to Donnelly’s request, the cleric’s intervention has drawn widespread attention online and renewed debate over Gumi’s influence, extremism, and the government’s handling of insecurity across the country.
