Why we treat the rich and poor differently — Hisbah

By ZAHRADDEEN YAKUBU SHUAIBU

The Kano State Hisbah Board has revealed why it gives different treatment to the rich and poor people whenever they commit an offence.

The board also debunked the allegation that it doesn’t punish the rich whenever they commit the same offence with the poor, saying they only give them a different approach.

Hisbah recently came under fire for turning blind eyes to wedding events involving the rich, especially that of the bride of Yusuf Buhari, the son of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the matter, a director at the board, Aliyu Kibiya, told Freedom Radio that it is against the teachings of Islam to criticise a leader in public.

“Although we call on everybody in the society to do the right thing, we make the call on a case by case basis.”

“It is against the tenets of Islam to mount the podium and call out leaders. There are ways to caution a leader without criticizing him in public,” Kibiya said.

Meanwhile, the commander-general of the board, Haroun Ibn-Sina, told freedom radio in another programme that they also arrest the children of the rich at several occasions and they are still doing more.

Even though Ibn-Sina did not cite examples of the children of the rich arrested by Hisbah, he said “we arrested sons of the rich and we are still on that. We will arrest anybody that is found guilty of our laws and guidelines.” (Daily Trust)