Judiciary
A notice of appeal has been filed with the Supreme Court of Nigeria for the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian Sufi musician, who was sentenced to death for charges of blasphemy. Despite not having legal representation at the time, Yahaya was convicted of blasphemy in 2020 after sharing audio messages deemed blasphemous toward the Prophet Mohammed.
Yahaya’s Supreme Court appeal challenges the constitutionality of the strict blasphemy law of Kano State and has the potential to overturn Sharia-based blasphemy laws in Northern Nigeria.
“Yahaya’s case is incredibly important as it has the potential to overturn blasphemy laws that threaten the rights of all religious minorities in Nigeria. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will finally declare these blasphemy laws to be unconstitutional and in direct violation of international human rights law,” said Kelsey Zorzi, Director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom for ADF International.
Zorzi further stated: “As a country with immense influence throughout Africa and the Muslim world, Nigeria has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way toward abolishing draconian blasphemy laws that continue to plague minorities around the globe”.
ADF International is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people.
A.I
Tags: Kelsey Zorzi Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
