The Supreme Court of Nigeria is preparing for a landmark hearing on September 25 in the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young Sufi musician from Kano State who has been on death row for alleged blasphemy since 2020.
Sharif-Aminu’s ordeal began when he shared song lyrics on WhatsApp that some members of his community considered offensive to Islam.
His home was set ablaze by an angry mob before his arrest, and a Kano Sharia court sentenced him to death by hanging.
The ruling sparked widespread international outrage, with rights groups condemning Nigeria’s enforcement of blasphemy laws.
Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the European Parliament have all demanded his release, describing the punishment as a violation of human rights and freedom of expression.
In 2021, the Kano State High Court quashed his original conviction, citing grave irregularities, including the fact that Sharif-Aminu had no legal representation during his trial.
However, the court ordered a retrial, leaving him vulnerable to the same death sentence. An appellate court upheld that decision in 2022, pushing the case to the Supreme Court.
International advocacy group ADF International has joined Sharif-Aminu’s legal team, insisting that the case could transform the legal landscape in northern Nigeria.
“No one should face execution for simply sharing song lyrics,” said Kelsey Zorzi, Director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International.
“Yahaya has already spent more than five years in prison for nothing more than a WhatsApp message.
“This hearing is a crucial step toward securing justice for him and safeguarding free expression for all Nigerians.”
Sharif-Aminu’s legal challenge goes beyond seeking his freedom. He is urging the Supreme Court to strike down Kano State’s blasphemy laws entirely, arguing that they contradict Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights treaties.
Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel at ADF International, emphasised the wider implications: “This case isn’t just about one individual.
It’s about whether millions of Nigerians can live without fear of persecution under unjust blasphemy laws.”
Nigeria is one of only seven countries worldwide where blasphemy is punishable by death. Human rights lawyer Kola Alapinni, who also represents Sharif-Aminu, expressed optimism that the nation’s top court will deliver a decisive judgment.
“For too long, blasphemy laws have been used to target religious minorities and stifle freedom of belief,” Alapinni said.
“The Supreme Court has the opportunity to affirm that Nigeria stands for justice and religious freedom.”
A ruling in Sharif-Aminu’s favour could set a historic precedent, potentially rendering blasphemy laws unenforceable and offering stronger protections to Christians, Muslims, and other minority groups across the country.