Nigerian Woman Sentenced to 18-Month Prison Term for ‘Blasphemy’ via WhatsApp : Analysis

Rhoda Ya’u Jatau, a healthcare administrator in Nigeria, has been detained by police for the past year on charges of blasphemy towards Islam. Jatau was arrested after sharing a video criticizing the mob burning of a university student accused of blasphemy. Prosecutors have accused Jatau of inciting disturbance, showing contempt for religious creed, and cyberstalking. A Bauchi state high court recently rejected her “no-case submission,” and if found guilty, she could face imprisonment. Nigeria is a country with a history of religious extremism, and this case has sparked public outrage. Nigeria is one of the 12 countries that still criminalizes blasphemy and one of the seven where it is punishable by death. The arrest of Jatau highlights the restrictions on freedom of speech and religion in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region where religious tensions are more pronounced. Other high-profile cases of blasphemy have also occurred in recent years, leading Amnesty International to call for their immediate release and protection of their rights. The United Nations has expressed concern over the criminalization of blasphemy in Nigeria and the violence targeting religious minorities. The case against Jatau highlights the need for justice and fair trials, as well as the safety concerns faced by women in Nigeria. The sultan of Sokoto has stated that Islamic law should not apply to non-Muslims, and legal experts argue that Sharia criminal law has no place in a multicultural and diverse country like Nigeria.

Source: Aljazeera news: Nigerian woman jailed for ‘blasphemy’ for 18 months over WhatsApp message