A heated controversy has erupted within Nigeria’s Muslim community following accusations by Sheikh Muhammed Adam (El-Ilory), the leader of Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Agege, Lagos, against fellow cleric Sheikh Sulaimon Farooq, widely known as Onikijipa.
During the 2025 Ramadan Tafseer Programme, Adam alleged that Onikijipa was behind his recent illness through diabolical means. He further claimed that their longstanding feud stemmed from a dispute over family lineage and scholarly recognition.
A Feud Rooted in Legacy
Adam explained that Onikijipa had been at odds with his late father, Sheikh Adam, for failing to mention Onikijipa’s father in a book listing noble Islamic clerics. He questioned Onikijipa’s rightful claim to the Onikijipa lineage, asserting that Alfa Alabi Onikijipa was the true heir.
“Who is even his father?” Adam asked. “His father is not the heir of the Onikijipa lineage. The people residing in that compound in Ilorin are the true heirs.”
Allegations of Voodoo and Black Magic
Recounting his illness in 2022, Adam alleged that Onikijipa’s associates had planted objects in his pocket during a wedding ceremony in Ilorin. Shortly after, he lost his ability to speak, though he remained conscious.
According to Adam, when his assistant retrieved the mysterious objects, they turned out to be two gourds, which Onikijipa allegedly claimed were for protection and required a ritual sacrifice.
Adam also accused Onikijipa of falsely declaring that he had suffered a stroke, citing the testimonies of Islamic scholars who were present at the hospital.
Onikijipa’s Response: Swearing on the Quran
In response, Onikijipa vehemently denied the allegations, swearing on the Quran during a Ramadan gathering in Ilorin. He invoked divine curses upon himself if he were guilty.
“This is the Quran, and we are in the month of Ramadan. If I, Sulaimon Farooq, son of Aminat, have any hand in Mudir Markaz’s illness, let the curses in this holy book be upon me. But if I am innocent and being framed, let those curses be upon them,” he declared.
Lingering Tensions
While Onikijipa denied involvement in the alleged spiritual attack, he did not address Adam’s claims of scholarly superiority and lineage legitimacy.
As the controversy unfolds, the Muslim community remains divided, with supporters on both sides closely following the developments.
