The Supreme Court of Nigeria will hear the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim sentenced to death under blasphemy laws, in a landmark trial that could decide the future of such laws in the country.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to hold the first hearing on September 25 in the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim sentenced to death by a Sharia court in 2020 for allegedly sharing “blasphemous” song lyrics on WhatsApp.
Sharif-Aminu’s case, supported by ADF International, has become a test for Nigeria’s controversial blasphemy laws. His original conviction was overturned in 2021 by the Kano State High Court, which cited major procedural flaws, including his lack of legal representation. The retrial order was upheld on appeal in 2022, pushing the case to the Supreme Court.
“No one should be punished, let alone face death, for peacefully sharing song lyrics,” said Kelsey Zorzi, Director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International. “This hearing is the next step to earning justice for him and protecting his right to free expression.”
Legal counsel for Sharif-Aminu is asking the court not only to free him but also to declare Kano State’s death penalty blasphemy law unconstitutional. A favorable ruling could set a nationwide precedent, making such laws unenforceable.
Sharif-Aminu’s imprisonment has drawn global condemnation, with the European Parliament, United Nations, and human rights groups demanding his immediate release.
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