Nigeria, April 9 -- A Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Musa Lukwa, has defied the directives of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, by observing Eid prayers on Tuesday as against Wednesday declared by the Sultanate Council.

Mr Lukwa, who had previously disobeyed the Sultan's directive on moon sighting, led prayers at his Juma'at mosque in the Mabera area of the Sokoto metropolis around 8:30 a.m.

The Sultan, who is the President General of Nigeria's Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, declared Wednesday as Sallah day following the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sul...