Reader survey
As a reader of PREMIUM TIMES, your opinion matters. Please take our survey to help us better understand the values and preferences of our readers. Your feedback will give us valuable insights into how we can tailor the different types of content we offer to meet your needs. The survey should only take about 6-8 minutes to complete.
Click here to take it.
The European Parliament has appealed to the Nigerian government to release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Kano-based singer, who is being held over alleged blasphemy.
It called on the government “to immediately and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and drop all charges against him.”
In addition, the parliament called for the release of “Rhoda Jatau, Mubarak Bala and others who face blasphemy allegations.”
Mr Sharif-Aminu, 24, was sentenced to death by hanging in August 2020 by an Upper Shari’a Court in Kano, North-west Nigeria, for an allegedly blasphemous song he composed concerning the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.
He was accused of blaspheming prophet Mohammad in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020.
Consequently, judge Aliyu Kani of the Upper Shari’a Court, convicted Mr Yahaya-Sharif based on Section 382 (b) of the Kano penal code of 2000.
However, a Kano State High Court and the Court of Appeal in the state quashed Mr Sharif-Aminu’s conviction.
The two courts premised their verdicts on the grounds that the singer’s trial at the Upper Shari’a Court was fraught with fundamental irregularities.
The courts ordered a retrial in the case, a decision Mr Sharif-Aminu has further appealed against at the Supreme Court calling for an outright dismissal of the charges.
But despite the appellate court’s order on 17 August 2022, Mr Sharif-Aminu is still being incarcerated.
Nigeria’s blasphemy laws violate human rights
In a resolution on 20 April, the European Parliament said Nigeria’s blasphemy laws “are in violation of its international human rights commitments, the African Charter and the Nigerian Constitution.”
Urging the Nigerian government to uphold human rights by ensuring that Sharia law and other similar legislations “do not deny Nigerians protection,” the parliament asked the government “to repeal the blasphemy laws at federal and state level.”
Recalling international efforts to end the death penalty, it admonished the Nigerian state to “immediately withdraw the use of capital punishment for blasphemy and take steps towards full abolition.”
Chronicle of Nigeria’s blasphemy impunity
With Shari’a law being practised in 12 northern states in Nigeria, the region is blighted by a legion of extrajudicial killings in form of mob action against persons accused of blasphemy.
In May 2022, a mob of college students in Sokoto State, North-west Nigeria, lynched one of their colleagues, Deborah Yakubu, for allegedly making derogatory comments about the Islamic prophet, Mohammed.
Ms Yakubu’s killing triggered nationwide outrage, with many calling for the arrest and prosecution of her murderers.
But aside from the perfunctory condemnation of Ms Yakubu’s murder by President Muhammadu Buhari, no concrete legal action has been taken to bring her killers to justice.
Ten days after Ms Yakubu’s gruesome murder, a mob of religious fanatics in Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State, North-east Nigeria, went on a violent protest destroying shops and injuring people over an alleged blasphemous comment posted on social media.
Police in the area said a local council worker, Rhoda Jatau, posted the alleged blasphemous comment on Facebook.
The European Parliament said Ms Jatau is on trial “without the right to bail.”
READ ALSO: Mubarak Bala: Lawyer petitions National Assembly, wants criminal, penal codes outlawing blasphemy amended
It advised the government to deal with impunity surrounding blasphemy accusations.
The parliament called on the European Union and its member states “to raise individual cases, human rights concerns and blasphemy laws with the Nigerian authorities.”
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vJYFf2Dec?enablejsapi=1&w=848&h=480]
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999
<!—-> <!—->
