Nigerians have taken to social media to reject the decision of an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State sentencing a Tijjaniyya sect singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu to death for blasphemy.
The court sitting in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area and presided over by Muhammad Aliyu Kani convicted the accused of the offence of blaspheming Prophet Mohammed.
Reading the charge sheet, the police prosecutor, Inspector Yargoje said, “That you, Sharrif Yahaya, resident of Sharif quarters, Kano on 28/02/2020 between the hours of 20:00hrs to 23:00hrs with the intention to hurt the feelings of Muslim faithful made a post via WhatsApp group named “Gidan Umma Abiha” some abusive and degrading audio statements in which you called Prophet Muhammad PBUH a theist (Mushrik) who propagate Shrik and whose position is lower than that of INYASS in the hereafter.”
Yargoje told the court that the offence contravened Section 382 (6) of Kano State Shariah Penal Code Law 2000.
The presiding judge sentenced the accused to death, adding that he has 30 days to appeal the judgement.
But many Nigerians took to Twitter to condemn the judgement.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong wrote, “This decision is unconscionable and unconstitutional. No one should be killed for expressing an opinion. Human life is sacred. It is callous and primitive to condemn a human being to death in the name of religion. What differentiates this “court” from Boko Haram? It’s a travesty.”
A journalist, David Hundeyin wrote, “Boko Haram regularly executes musicians and artists for “blasphemy” in the villages they occupy, citing Sharia Law.
“I’d love to know how this is not state-sanctioned terrorism.
“What is the difference between the Kano State government and Boko Haram?
“Please do tell.”
Another commentator, William wrote, “Sentencing people to death for Blasphemy is Terrorism.
“A region that has an ISIS and Al-Qaeda problem should not embolden Islamic terrorism.
“Secondly, this has legitimised every murder commited by Boko Haram on nonbelievers.
“Northern Nigeria is playing with Fire.”
Another user, @honilatte wrote, “So kano state can practice a law that supersedes the Nigerian Constitution?
“Boko Haram kills people because of blasphemy and also a court in Kano can also sentence people to death because of blasphemy?
“So what’s the difference between Kano State and Terrorists?”