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Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International - Crime - Nairaland

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Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 2:09am On Nov 30, 2020


Today, our legal team appeared in the Kano High Court, arguing appeals for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and Umar Farouk. On August 10, 22-year-old Yahaya was sentenced to death and 13-year-old Umar was sentenced to 10 years in jail with menial labor, both on charges of blasphemy. AAI assembled a legal team and raised funds to appeal these two cases. Read more about these cases here.

The appeals were heard by the Chief Justice of Kano, N.S. Umar and Justice Nasiru Saminu.

Our legal team arrived at court early and passed through a crowd of people who had come to see these cases but were unable to get into the already-packed court. Outside a substantial contingent of police officers were on hand to keep the peace but the crowd remained calm throughout.

Our legal team comprised (from left to right in the picture) Ebuka Ikeorah, Rouf Gazali, AA Muhammad, Murtala A. Alimi, and Kola Alapinni (lead counsel). We are grateful to these men for taking on this controversial case, especially since the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria declared on August 15 that the death sentence on Yahaya was correct and urged the Government in Kano State to carry out the execution. Such a statement from a body that should remain strictly neutral would undoubtedly serve to intimidate lawyers who might otherwise have acted for Yahaya.

Neither appellant was in court today and our lawyers have been officially denied access to them since their trial in August.


Umar Farouk’s appeal was first up. Our lawyers argued that Umar was not legally represented at his trial, that he would not have pleaded guilty if he had been legally represented, and that he was below the age of criminal responsibility at the time of the alleged offense. Interestingly, prior to the court hearing, Kano state lawyers stood by the Shariah definition of “full age”. By this definition, a boy who has under-arm hair and is able to produce semen may be prosecuted. However, they did not argue this point in court. In fact, they did not respond to any of the grounds of appeal proposed by our lawyers.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu’s case was next up. Yahaya was of full age when the alleged offense took place but no evidence was produced at his trial and he suffered the exact same denial of rights and unfair trial process as Umar.

Kano State argued that Yahaya admitted his guilt and admission is “better than evidence”. But, of course, if he had been legally represented he would not have admitted guilt.


Our lawyers made the point that the right to life is a person’s most fundamental human right and this right cannot be denied except after the most diligent and fastidious investigation and trial, which did not happen in this case.

In both cases, our lawyers argued that the Federal Constitution of Nigeria protects the right to freedom of expression and that any law that seeks to deny that right must be void. In other words, the blasphemy laws in the Kano Shariah Penal code are unconstitutional and should be struck down.

The Judges retired to make their judgment. The date on which this will be announced will be advised in due course.

If the Judges should quash these sentences, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has promised to appeal against the decision. If the sentences are not overturned, we will appeal again. So, we expect these cases to continue, most likely to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Appealing these two cases was only possible through the generosity of good people who donated to our GoFundMe appeal. We are not done with these cases, please be one of those good people and make a donation so we can continue the fight. Please do it now. You can find the GoFundMe page here.

Thank you.

https://www.atheistalliance.org/blog/blasphemy-sentences-appealed-today/

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 2:21am On Nov 30, 2020
Kola Alapinni, a defence lawyer representing the two defendants, said the convictions were incompatible with Nigeria's constitution, which gives people the right to have freedom of expression.

All these issues need to rushed to the supreme court asap. These laws should be thrown out for being blantly unconstitutional. The government at all levels should embrace secularism in general. Stop building churches, mosques, subsidizing religious trips etcetera.

If the Judges should quash these sentences, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has promised to appeal against the decision.

Assuming they lose Kano state will likely not appeal or they'd risk the whole law being declared unconstitutional. It would be better if they lose and the matter is settled outright. Let's hope Gandolla is really imprudent.

17 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by dawnomike(m): 2:39am On Nov 30, 2020
I am sure when all this is over... He would have learnt a whole lot of lessons about life in general if he survives it

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 2:46am On Nov 30, 2020
dawnomike:
I am sure when all this is over... He would have learnt a whole lot of lessons about life in general if he survives it

What's the lesson here? He did nothing wrong unless bowing to tyrants is now a virtue. The religious zealots are the ones who are attacking someone for the high crime of hurting their feelings.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by grim33(m): 2:46am On Nov 30, 2020
Those animals that call their self boko idiots are rampaging and killing innocent farmers and blasphemy is what you’re addressing by sentencing people to death for something they said . Everything is wrong in this world...
it better never to have being...

#antinatalisim.

49 Likes

Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Homeboiy: 2:57am On Nov 30, 2020
Unu ahula nu


Muslim lawyers agreed to the death sentences

They are not different from the boko boys

102 Likes 6 Shares

Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by dawnomike(m): 3:00am On Nov 30, 2020
Neonspook:


What's the lesson here? He did nothing wrong unless bowing to tyrants is now a virtue. The religious zealots are the ones who are attacking someone for the high crime of hurting their feelings.
There are different types of lessons... e.g learning that those he called his people do not mind beheading him all in the name of religion and an igbo man would be part of his lawyers fighting his case to save his head. (That is a big lesson)

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 3:10am On Nov 30, 2020
The penis of northerners enjoys getting erect for irrelevant affairs than facing the fighting the soldier ant biting their scrotum.

I hope after this the lad learns that his people are ready to sacrifice him for speaking out.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 3:11am On Nov 30, 2020
These Athiest are doing great work I hope they win their cases. Just a reminder Athiest Society of Nigeria also litigating against Akwa Ibom worship center. Donate to them if you got the funds. A win for them is win for the country. The nonsensical religiosity must be purged from the government.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 3:17am On Nov 30, 2020
Neonspook:
These Athiest are doing great work I hope they win their cases. Just a reminder Athiest Society of Nigeria also litigating against Akwa Ibom worship center. Donate to them if you got the funds. A win for them is win for the country. The nonsensical religiosity must be purged from the government.

The religion has never taken us anywhere, it has caused more bloodshed than peace.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by tartar9(m): 3:23am On Nov 30, 2020
Kano State has the right to determine its laws...the only appeal court there should be the Shariah court of appeal.
Anyways,have any capital punishment given by a Sharia court ever been executed sad
Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by tartar9(m): 3:30am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:


[s]The religion has never taken us anywhere, it has caused more bloodshed than peace.[/s]
Hope you ain't atheist or a xtian typing this undecided
Kano State is a Sharia state...end of discussion
Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 3:31am On Nov 30, 2020
tartar9:
Kano State has the right to determine its laws...the only appeal court there should be the Shariah court of appeal.

They dont have the right to violate the constitution. You're wrong the Federal court of appeal is above sharia court of appeal. Refer to the court hierarchy below.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 3:33am On Nov 30, 2020
tartar9:

Hope you ain't atheist or a xtian typing this undecided
Kano State is a Sharia state...end of discussion

And so, will I be killed for expressing distaste towards their oppressive laws?

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by tartar9(m): 3:36am On Nov 30, 2020
Neonspook:


The dont have the right to violate the constitution. You're wrong the Federal court of appeal is above sharia court of appeal. Refer to the court hierarchy below.
Later you'll be the ones talking about restructuring sad
Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by tartar9(m): 3:45am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:


And so, will I be killed for expressing distaste towards their oppressive laws?
No my comment was about you talking of bloodshed when atheistic regimes have been the most murderous in history.
(You didn't reply with curses and senile virtuperations,so I'll assume you're not a xtian)
Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Jagznation(m): 4:19am On Nov 30, 2020
This guy's are about to rake in millions of naira

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 4:25am On Nov 30, 2020
tartar9:

No, my comment was about you talking of bloodshed when atheistic regimes have been the most murderous in history.
(You didn't reply with curses and senile vituperations, so I'll assume you're not a Xtian)

Yes, I am not Xtian. I was talking of the influence of religion on its followers in Nigeria and not necessarily the leaders.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by orisa37: 4:30am On Nov 30, 2020
Good Intervention of The Atheist Lawyers in Kano.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Neonspook: 4:35am On Nov 30, 2020
The Ganduje character is s funny one. Nobody forgot about his dollar stuffing. I hope he's ready to abide by the sharia courts judgements if sentenced.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by capitalzero: 4:44am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:


Human rulership has never taken us anywhere, it has caused more bloodshed than peace.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by ChoCho54(f): 4:53am On Nov 30, 2020
tartar9:

Later you'll be the ones talking about restructuring sad
OMG see reasoning oo..who did Nigeria offend?

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by orisa37: 4:54am On Nov 30, 2020
Let the Wheats and the Weeds grow together till Harvest Time. Sanity and Insanity are members of the same STOCK.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by ChoCho54(f): 4:57am On Nov 30, 2020
Jagznation:
This guy's are about to rake in millions of naira
You can do better than this.

You think going to Kano to argue a case like this is tea party?
You will shit in your pants once you gaze into the faces of your potential murderers, their faces dark, dirty and glistening with anger in the court yard.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by orisa37: 5:10am On Nov 30, 2020
Let the Wheats and the Weeds grow together till Harvest Time. Sanity and Insanity are members of the same STOCK.

JEWISH JUDAISM POSES IN-ISLAM JESUS CHRIST.

THEREFORE IN JUDAISM AND IN THE OTHER TWO SIBLINGS, SATAN AND CHRIST ARE SONS OF SAME GOD.

Read about AYUBA AND JOB. THE ATHEIST LAWYERS MIGHT BE MIRACLE APPEARANCES IN THIS CONNECTION.
Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 5:10am On Nov 30, 2020
[quote author=capitalzero post=96575413][/quote]

Religion and not human leadership.

1 Like

Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by Nobody: 5:14am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:
The penis of northerners enjoys getting erect for irrelevant affairs than facing the fighting the soldier ant biting their scrotum.

I hope after this the lad learns that his people are ready to sacrifice him for speaking out.
This foolishness would eventually consume them. The rest of the world is coming up with innovations daily here we are arguing blasphemy nonsense in the midst of poverty and insecurity

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by capitalzero: 5:14am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:


Religion and not human leadership.
stalin was atheist and brutal. Mao of china was also atheist and his rulership was brutal and about 30millions Chinese lost their lives. llt is human rulershio. Ecc 8:9.

1 Like

Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 5:37am On Nov 30, 2020
capitalzero:
stalin was atheist and brutal. Mao of china was also atheist and his rulership was brutal and about 30millions Chinese lost their lives. llt is human rulershio. Ecc 8:9.

First off, don't quote the bible to make a point, you can make the point without it. Secondly, go through the context I never talked about religious or non religious leaders, I was talking about the citizens.
My case was mainly on the religious killings and loss of common sense due to religious beliefs.
If you also want to talk about Atheist who have been evil without talking of good ones like Xi Ji Ping of China, then we could also talk of the Crusaders and the brutal rise of the Arab empire.

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by privaldo: 5:43am On Nov 30, 2020
12rev:

This foolishness would eventually consume them. The rest of the world is coming up with innovations daily here we are arguing blasphemy nonsense in the midst of poverty and insecurity

I only hope they realise on time that this isn't the ancient period of Mohammed and his early followers, and drop some of those archaic beliefs they still hold dear. If Saudi Arabia that lords over Islam, countries like Qatar, UAE even die-hard Islam fanatics like Iraq could all be open to change then, what is different about Northern Nigeria that borrowed the religion?

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Re: Blasphemy Sentences Appealed in Kano by Atheists Alliance International by capitalzero: 5:45am On Nov 30, 2020
privaldo:


First off, don't quote the bible to make a point, you can make the point without it. Secondly, go through the context I never talked about religious or non religious leaders, I was talking about the citizens.


My case was mainly on the religious killings and loss of common sense due to religious beliefs.

If you also want to talk about Atheist who have been evil without talking of good ones like Xi Ji Ping of China, then we could also talk of the Crusaders and the brutal rise of the Arab empire.

There are religious killings just as we have tribal or ethnic cleansing as well as political killings.
You cannot isolate religion as culprit.
There are good and bad leaders across all boundaries-religious, tribal,racial, cultural and political.
There are bad and good citizens too across all boundaries.
Major problem facing humanity is bad leadership viz human rulership. Human are leaders and leaders are the problem.
To get it right , we have to get to the root. Bible provides the answer.

1 Like

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