22 year old Musician, Yahaya Shariff sentenced to death for Blasphemy by a Kano Sharia Court has allegedly been denied access to his lawyers as the 30 day judgement appeal period elapses.
The 30 day time limit allowed for an appeal of the death sentence elapses on September 9, but the 22 year old is yet to file an appeal against the judgement.
The State Government also expressed it’s readiness to sign the death warrant immediately the period allotted for an appeal expires.
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According to human rights lawyer, Femi Falana who spoke to Punch, the musician on death row is being denied access to his lawyers even though the time for an appeal has not elapsed.
Falana stated that he directed a lawyer from his chambers to meet with the the convict but was denied access by prison authorities.
“I sent a lawyer to take up the case and meet with him (Sharif-Aminu) but he was denied access,” he stated.
The musician was sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Kano Sharia Court. He was accused of abusing the Prophet Muhammad in a song he circulated on WhatsApp.
Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations, including Amnesty International have condemned the death sentence and urged the Federal Government and the Judiciary to intervene.
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje however expressed readiness to sign the death warrant and urged Islamic Lawyers in Kano to follow up the case up till the Supreme Court to ensure that the death sentence stands.