European Parliament calls for release of Kano singer being help for blaspheming Prophet Mohammed

LAWMAKERS in the European Parliament have appealed to the Nigerian government to release Kano singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu who is being held in detention after being condemned to death for blasphemy two years ago.

Mr Sharif-Aminu, 24, was sentenced to death by hanging in August 2020 by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano over an allegedly blasphemous song he composed concerning the Prophet Muhammad.  He was accused of blaspheming Prophet Mohammad in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020 and consequently, judge Aliyu Kani of convicted him based on Section 382 (b) of the Kano penal code of 2000.

Two years on, the European Parliament has called on the federal government to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Sharif-Aminu and drop all charges against him. In addition, the parliament called for the release of Rhoda Jatau, Mubarak Bala and others who also face blasphemy allegations.

On appeal, a Kano State high court and the Court of Appeal quashed Mr Sharif-Aminu’s conviction, with the two courts premising their verdicts on the grounds that the singer’s trial at the Upper Sharia Court was fraught with fundamental irregularities. They both ordered a retrial in the case and Mr Sharif-Aminu has now asked the Supreme Court for an outright dismissal of the charges.

However, despite the appellate court’s order on August 17 2022, Mr Sharif-Aminu is still being detained. In a resolution on April 20, 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.

With Sharia law being practised in 12 states of northern Nigeria, the region has been blighted by cases of extra-judicial killings in the form of mob action against persons accused of blasphemy. In May 2022, a mob of college students in Sokoto State lynched one of their colleagues, Deborah Yakubu, for allegedly making derogatory comments about the Prophet Mohammed.

Ms Yakubu’s killing triggered a nationwide outrage, with many calling for the arrest and prosecution of her murderers. Some 10  days after Ms Yakubu’s gruesome murder, a mob of religious fanatics in Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State 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. However, the European Parliament said Ms Jatau is on trial without the right to bail.