The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on September 25 hear the appeal of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim musician sentenced to death in 2020 by a Sharia court in Kano State for alleged blasphemy.
Sharif-Aminu was convicted after sharing song lyrics on WhatsApp that some considered blasphemous.
In 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned the conviction, citing the absence of legal representation during the original trial. However, it ordered a retrial, leaving Sharif-Aminu at risk of execution.
The decision was upheld by an appellate court in 2022, leading to his appeal to the Supreme Court.
International advocacy group ADF International is supporting his defense, arguing that the case presents an opportunity to strike down blasphemy laws in northern Nigeria. The group insists that Sharif-Aminu’s conviction violates Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations.
The case has attracted international attention. The European Parliament has passed resolutions demanding his release, while the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared his imprisonment a violation of international law.
Nigeria is one of seven countries where blasphemy is punishable by death.
A ruling in Sharif-Aminu’s favour could set a precedent with implications for religious freedom and the future of blasphemy laws in the country.
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