Pro-Democracy and human rights group, Concerned Nigerians, has called the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the death sentence on Kano singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death during the week by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano over alleged blasphemy.
The group also wrote the State Governor, Umar Ganduje and the US Embassy over the court’s ruling.
The religious court also allows Aminu to appeal the ruling within 30 days even though he did not deny the charges.
In the letter addressed to Buhari, Ganduje and the US embassy, the group said judgement is repulsive to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
The Concerned Nigerians also frowned at the attempt to religiously police the country, saying that the country is a secular state.
“Our constitution forbids religious policing in section 10, which prohibits the practice of state religion in any part of Nigeria and section 38 guarantees the right to freedom of thought, religion and conscience, including freedom to change religion and belief.
“We are appealing to the president and The American Embassy to prevail on the Kano state Governor to pardon the victim of this great injustice as his life is in serious danger at the Kano Central Prison where he’s being detained.”
The group said it was in touch with the convicted musician, revealing that he is currently being kept under the worst possible conditions.
The Kano Sharia court presided over by Khadi Muhammad Ali-Kani sentenced 30-year-old Sharif-Aminu has been sentenced to death by hanging for blasphemy.
Sharif-Aminu, a resident of Sharifai Quarters of Kano Municipal, was arraigned by the police on one-count charge of inciting religious creed.
This, the police said, was contrary to section 382 (6) of Kano State Sharia Panel Code Law 2000.
The Prosecution, Insp. Aminu Yar-Goje, informed the court that the musician committed the offence February 28.
Yar-Goje also disclosed that on the same date at about 8:00 p.m. and 11:50 p.m., the 30-year-old made a blasphemous post via a WhatsApp group chat aimed at hurting the feelings of Muslims faithful.
“The convict made blasphemous and degrading audio remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he said.
Sharif-Aminu, however, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Ruling on the matter, Ali-Kani, sentenced the singer to death by hanging.
Quoting Section 382 of the Kano Sharia Panel Code Law 2000, Ali-Kani said the offence was against the Islamic Law.
