₦airaland Forum

Nigerian court sentences christian woman to 14 years in prison for sharing her faith — convert testified she converted willingly

By Efehe-Abasi Asanga | International Desk
MAIDUGURI, Borno State — October 15, 2026

A Borno State court has sentenced a Christian mother, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, to 14 years imprisonment for sharing her Christian faith with an adult woman who told the court she converted to Christianity of her own free will, a ruling critics say exposes deep judicial bias and weaponization of law against religious minorities in northeastern Nigeria.

The judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice A. B. Kumdila at Borno State High Court, has sparked outrage among human rights advocates who say it breaches Section 38 of Nigeria's Constitution which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change religion.

The Case:

According to Truth Nigeria report published October 14, 2026, and certified copy of judgment obtained by its reporters, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, a Christian woman from Gwoza area of Borno State, shared her faith and advised an adult Muslim woman about Christianity.

The adult woman subsequently chose to become Christian. In court, she testified clearly and without coercion that she acted entirely of her own free will and that no one forced, induced or cheated her.

Despite that testimony, prosecutors charged Dawa under Section 210 of Penal Code Laws of Borno State — a provision which concerns depriving a parent of lawful custody of a child — a charge legal analysts say has no application to sharing faith with consenting adult.

During sentencing, Dawa pleaded for leniency:

"I'm a mother. I did not intend to cheat the victim. I only advised her. That is all," she told court.

Justice Kumdila rejected plea and imposed maximum penalty: 14 years imprisonment on Count 1, with no option of fine.

Family In Hiding:

While Dawa remains in custody in Maiduguri, her husband, who was previously detained in connection with case, now lives in hiding after receiving death threats from Islamic extremists in Gwoza.

"My wife, who committed no crime, is in prison," he told Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative.

Advocates say family has been left exposed to persistent threats from local extremists, deepening humanitarian crisis.

Gwoza, near Cameroon border, is epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency. Christian population there has fallen from estimated 30% pre-2009 to less than 5% today due to displacement.

Gavvs Katiya, Chairman of Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative, told Truth Nigeria: "The ruling weaponized her Christian conviction and imposed punishment far beyond anything justified by Nigerian law."

Legal Analysis — Proportionality And Statutory Misapplication:

Legal analysts say judgment raises three serious questions:

1. *Statutory interpretation:* Section 210 deals with taking child from parent. Victim in this case is adult woman. How does Section 210 apply?

2. Proportionality: 14 years maximum with no fine option for advising adult who says she converted willingly — while Boko Haram surrendered fighters receive rehabilitation under Operation Safe Corridor, and kidnappers often get 5-10 years plea bargain.

3. Constitutional conflict: Section 38 of 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom to change religion. Section 10 prohibits state religion. Can sharing faith with consenting adult be crime in secular state?

Human-rights advocates say case represents breach of constitutional protections for religious freedom, where constitutional guarantees collide with local pressures, extremist threats and inconsistent enforcement.

Pattern Of Cases:

This case follows pattern documented by this desk:

Rhoda Jatau, Bauchi, May 2022: Christian healthcare worker and mother of five arrested after sharing WhatsApp video condemning lynching of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, Christian student killed by mob in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy. Charged under Sections 114 and 210 Bauchi Penal Code and Cybercrimes Act. Held 19 months, denied bail on grounds release might provoke unrest. Acquitted December 2024 after intervention by Christian Association of Nigeria and ADF International.

Bauchi Sharia Council, 2026: Three Christian teen girls from Plateau State allegedly held by Bauchi Sharia Council, converted to Islam despite parental protest and Child Rights Act.

Nepal, Oct 13, 2026: 24 South Korean Christians arrested for Bible teaching under anti-conversion law.

-Pakistan, Oct 9, 2026: Christian man Kamran Gill's pharmacy burned after blasphemy allegation over Facebook share.

In each, sharing or discussing faith becomes criminal when minority faith shares with majority community.

No Record Of Reverse Prosecution:

Advocates ask: Has any Muslim in Borno ever received 14 years for sharing Islam with Christian adult who then converted to Islam? No public record exists. If not, law is applied unequally, violating Section 42 (freedom from discrimination).

Current Status:

- Liyatu Samuel Dawa: In prison, Borno State, serving 14 years.
- Husband: In hiding.
- Convert: Whereabouts unknown, reportedly under pressure.
- Appeal: Lawyers preparing appeal to Court of Appeal, Jos Division, citing misapplication of Section 210 and breach of Section 38.
- International monitoring: Truth Nigeria, ADF International, Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative documenting.

Reaction:

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno chapter yet to issue official statement as of press time. Borno State Government has not commented.

International observers note Nigeria remains on U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Watch List for violations of religious freedom.

Sources: Truth Nigeria October 14 report, certified copy of judgment Borno State High Court, Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative, ADF International archives on Rhoda Jatau case, 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria Sections 10, 38, 42, Borno State Penal Code Section 210.

Reported by Efehe-Abasi Asanga
Maiduguri / Jos Bureau — Religious Freedom and Judicial Bias.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1168950732475326&id=young.asanga.2025

https://truthnigeria.com/2026/10/nigerian-court-sentences-christian-woman-to-14-years-in-prison-for-sharing-her-faith/

nothing surprises me again here. a country where cultists renovate police stations

I am curious, what are the faith of the elected officials in Borno state?.

Are the rule of law still applicable in Nigeria?

Does religion supersede the Nigerian constitution?

What is the position of the Senate on this repeatedly intimidation, oppression and injustice on the northern Christian minority?


Someone once said in this forum that Election has consequences. Whats the hope of the minorities in Nigeria?.

Even though i am not too knowledgeable in terms of History but I doubt Nigeria has ever had it this bad, not even during the military era.

Muslim Muslim ticket.

A lot of things are happening to Nigerian Christians under Tinubu’s Islamic led government..

From Christian massacre, to Christian humiliation to imprisonment of Christian men and women..

I don’t blame Muslims with their taquia and their way of operation, I blame some empty headed people that are paying attention to Muslims and their lies that Muslims mean well for them..

All the things that must be going through her mind right now

If sharing your faith (not forcing into a religion you don't want like how ndi desert does) now attract jail time, then all the ndi polio will have been in jail by now.

SammyB67:
Reported by Efehe-Abasi Asanga
Maiduguri / Jos Bureau — Religious Freedom and Judicial Bias.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1168950732475326&id=young.asanga.2025

https://truthnigeria.com/2026/10/nigerian-court-sentences-christian-woman-to-14-years-in-prison-for-sharing-her-faith/

Na this type of Judge that Tinubu/APC appoints to Supreme Court.
Tanko Mohammed was appointed CJN after Buhari/APC chased Justice Ogheghen away as CJN.

Tinubu supporters say christians are not being persecuted, all in a bid to defend tinubu's govt.

Donald Trump come and save us o!

Tinubu has kill is finish o.

And they will no Christian genocide.

Muslims should have their own state and country.

Despite the fact that I despise the average northern Muslim( let's face facts, 90% of them hate Christians) ,she should have acted with common sense, keep your faith low key. Imagine the penal code they used to present judgment, it wasn't even connected to her alleged crime

Islam isn't a religion of peace, know this and know peace....

It is well in the name of Jesus it is well with my soul today.....

O yaaa expert234 gberaaa
Being out yua pe.... .
Nies
And come and Ma's...
Tirbat on this thread

That's nonsense, but Christians should please learn how to respect people privacy

if this true then i believe there is a genocide against Christians in this country

They said Sharia is for Muslim, Islam is evil

While Muslims can block roads on Fridays in the south and east of the country while observing their prayers Christians are locked up for being just Christians

Note am not a Christian nor do I belong to any religion but the fact remain that this country is something else

We4all:
Muslims should have their own state and country.

The 12 far north sharia states drew the boundaries of Arewa Islamic Republic when they unilaterally adopted unconstitutional Islamic sharia criminal justice system in 1999.

Mugus are southern politicians who don't understand that the Arewa sharia states still cling to one Nigeria because of lucre in the south.

Religion of peace indeed. Go watch Dominic Amponsah amd see how he decimates some of their Imams.

ZaRuleOfLaw:
nothing surprises me again here. a country where cultists renovate police stations

hahahahhahahahahaha. This guy don off me

To my fellow Christians supporting Muslim Muslim ticket, this is an eye opener to you all.

Chai what happened to Freedom of worship?
what if it was the other way round, would she have been jailed?

Jesus didn't help. Husband ran away.

Africans sabi carry religion for head unnecessarily.

Both her, the Christian "Saviour" and the Muslim " Persecutors"

Arabs and Jews always had a low opinion of us. 💯 Fact.

SafariHunter:
Despite the fact that I despise the average northern Muslim( let's face it 90% of them hate Christians) ,she should have acted with common sense, keep your faith low key. Imagine the code they used to present judgment, it wasn't even connected to her alleged crime

Islam isn't a religion of peace, know this and know peace....

This judgement will be quashed at the appeal court. The judge just show the people he wan show his character and should no longer seat as an impartial judge.

CyynthiaKiss:
Muslim Muslim ticket.

A lot of things are happening to Chrtistians under Tinubu’s Islamic led government..

From Christian massacre to humiliation to nonsense imprisonment..

I don’t blame Muslims with their taquia, I blame some empty headed people that are paying attention to Muslims and their lies that Muslims mean well for them..

That's their Taqiyya they were giving you. Even recently the Nigerian Muslim leader told the press there is no compulsion in Islam, meanwhile they are doing this. This was how they deceived the Hausas and imposed Islam on them. They are trying to do same in Yorubaland now through Ilorin. Their final plan is to turn Nigeria to Islamic country.

When Trump reads this the Nigerian government should get ready for national embarrassment

On which law?




This country is absolutely ridiculous...



And persecuting Christians...



Continue to rest in peace Deborah... Fk the morons that took your life

That judge needs to be suspended permanently from the bench.

He's clearly unfit to be a judge, and every case he has ever handled needs to be reexamined.

WTF!!!

this country needs to disolve

Till one Governor is picked up like Nicolas Maduro, they won't stop.

Trump need more evidence to believe Christians are facing persecution in Nigeria