Human Rights advocacy group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has called for the release of one Aminu Yahaya-Shariff who was sentenced to death by a Kano court over alleged blasphemy.
Amnesty made the call in a statement issued on its official X handle on Thursday.
The group disclosed that Yahaya-Shariff was sentenced to death back in August 2020 through what it described as unfair trial.
He was alleged to have committed the offence via a song he released on Whatsapp in March 2020.
However, Yahaya-Shariff had since remained on death row in prison since his sentencing with his health conition reportedly deteriorating.
Amnesty labelled blasphemy laws as violation of right to freedom of expression.
It charged the Nigerian authorities to drop the charges against the convict and ensure his release.
The statement read; “On August 10, 2020, Aminu Yahaya-Shariff was sentenced to death by a Kano court over alleged blasphemy. He was 22–years old when he was sentenced — through an unfair trial based on bogus charges.
“After releasing a song via whatsapp in March 2020, a mob burnt down his family home. His family members narrowly escaped lynching by a mob.
“In March 2024, Amnesty International visited Yahaya Sheriff-Aminu in detention and found him in poor health as he has severe asthma and periodically needs an inhaler and related medications.
“In November 2024, Amnesty International visited Yahaya Sharif-Aminu again and, although he is recuperating due to medications supplied to him, he still requires regular access to his medications.
“Blasphemy laws are a violation of the right to freedom of expression.
“Amnesty International is again calling on the Nigerian authorities to drop all charges against Aminu Yahaya-Sheriff to ensure his immediate and unconditional release.”
