The musician, who is a resident of Sharifai in Kano metropolis, was accused of committing blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020. Irate youths burnt down his family home and led a protest to the Sharia Police, Hisbah, demanding Sharif Aminu’s death.

The musician, who went into hiding, was arrested, hurriedly tried and convicted for breaching Section 382 (b) of Kano penal code of 2000 which is based on Islamic law.

Some human rights lawyers in Kano told this newspaper that many lawyers were refusing to take up Sharif-Aminu’s case because of the volatile nature of Kano State.

An activist said, “Most of the human right lawyers in Kano that I have asked to take up the case have refused to do so out of fear. Most of them are afraid that their chambers could be burnt down by youths or they could be attacked or killed for defending a blasphemer. Ironically, some of these lawyers support the death sentence handed down to the convict and are refusing to take action.

“And of course, when it comes to such sensitive religious matters, the police are usually complicit or they look the other way. The political leaders also keep mute or come out to support Sharia because they want to remain popular among their people.”

The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria which is very active in Kano and other states practising Sharia, had recently endorsed the death sentence handed down to the musician, stating that the trial was fair and in line with the laws of the state.

However, global rights group, Amnesty International, had said in a statement that the musician, from all indication, was not given a fair hearing.

“This is a travesty of justice. There are serious concerns about the fairness of his trial; and the framing of the charges against him based on his WhatsApp messages. Furthermore, the imposition of the death penalty following an unfair trial violates the right to life. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International Nigeria country director.

barojana:


This is where you all get it wrong!
Religion is not the problem, but Islam... There are 4300 religions out there, majority of which has been modified and adapted to modern realities.

Out of the 7 major religions Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confusianism, Judaism - only Islam still behaves so primitive like it were still in the 1100AD.

Naturally, when religions are woven intricately into the fabric of politics disaster would always happen. And this can be proven well by Christianity which was a highly peaceful and persecuted faith. Only to become a powerhouse and then some people began to use it as a tool of oppression.

However, Christians by themselves undid the errors of polluting Christianity with politics by forcing a separation of state and the church and Christianity went back to sanity and once more became an outreach faith. This change was led by Christians and not outsiders!

The problem with Islam is it has always been designed to be a state powered religion because it's proponents understand that reason and logic are the greatest threats to its existence

Goldencheese:
See, I know what I am talking about. Christianity is faith; others are religions and please di not think that I am trying to elevate Christianity above the others but the evidence is clear. When man starts fighting for God, then it is religion and not faith because in faith, God reveals how He should be served and He also fights His own battles by Himself.

muykem:
Ghost of Muhammad desperate need blood.

“A god who let us prove his existence would be an idol.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Chosen1984:
How I wish the Eyes and Understanding of People will be Open to see God Almighty Reaction to what His Creatures are trying to do..

All the same! My Admonishment to this Brother is to see this as a Privilege Death.

Confess all Sins, Surrender Completely to Jesus and just let them do their thing. I assure Him that if He does this, He will be Received into the Loving Arms of My Daddy in Heaven..

LegendHero:
The core North is lost forever.

A combination of Islam and core North is too toxic to contain and it will always breed disaster.

The major reason is that they see Islam as a total way of life and they are too rigid to change and stuck with the Shariah law that already outlived its importance.

Some might say it’s lack of education but that’s wrong. The doctrine is too potent such that even intellectuals seems to be at the frontline of this brutality. That was why I said they are lost forever.

At least we Muslims in the south have learnt to differentiate Islam from culture which explained why all this rubbish cannot take hold here.

It’s really sad that the major leaders of the North continue to maintain culture of silence in this show of shame!

achierosion:
Arrewa, these are many reasons people are attacking the northerners with the old awkward mentality.


Where's the compassion and love in ur religion?
Who gives you the right to kill for God?



The day we separate from North will be a new paradise in the Eastern side.

RIP in advance bro.

HigherEd:


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