Audio By Carbonatix
Human rights campaigners have expressed outrage over the sentencing of an atheist to 24 years in jail by a court in the northern Nigerian state of Kano.
Mubarak Bala, the president of Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested in 2020 and on Tuesday pleaded guilty to 18 charges of blasphemy against Islam and posting messages on social media that could incite violence.
Humanist International, an organisation committed to promoting freedom of belief around the world, described the judgement as ‘’outrageous’’.
It said it was ‘’a day of shame for the Nigerian authorities".
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also condemned the jailing of Bala.
His group, the Humanist Association of Nigeria, said it was ‘’utterly shocked’’ and it was a ‘’sad day’’ for humanism and freedom.
But the court ruling has been widely welcomed in northern Nigeria – a predominantly Muslim region – with some saying his actions denigrate the religion of others.
Rights groups say they will continue to campaign for his release.
The 37-year-old atheist renounced Islam in 2014 and later became the president of Humanist Association of Nigeria.
Latest Stories
-
NAIMOS seizes excavators and shuts down illegal Riverbank mining in Eastern Region
1 hour -
NAIMOS dismantles illegal foreign mining network along the Bia River
1 hour -
Zelensky signals progress in talks with US on peace plan
3 hours -
Policemen assaulted in Jirapa; AK-47 rifles stolen
4 hours -
Bibiani tragedy: Toddler killed by moving Toyota Pickup
5 hours -
Don’t scrap OSP – Anti-corruption CSO demands review
6 hours -
GIS, EU vow closer security cooperation to boost northern border control
7 hours -
IGP leads major show of force with new armoured fleet
8 hours -
Two female prison officers killed in ghastly crash
8 hours -
Abolish or Reform? Abu Jinapor counsels sober reflection on debate over future of Special Prosecutor’s Office
10 hours -
2026 World Cup: Can Ghana navigate England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L?
10 hours -
NAIMOS task force arrests 9 Chinese illegal miners, destroys equipment at Dadieso
11 hours -
NAIMOS advances into Atiwa Forest, uncovers child labour, river diversion and heavy machinery
11 hours -
NAIMOS Task Force storms Fanteakwa South, dismantles galamsey operations
11 hours -
The Kissi Agyebeng Removal Bid: A Look at the Numbers
12 hours