The Kano Division of the Court of Appeal has declared that Nigeria remains a secular State.
The appellate court decided on Thursday when it discharged and acquitted 22-year-old Yahaya Sharif Aminu sentenced to death by a Sharia Court over alleged blasphemy.
It would be recalled, Aminu was convicted on January 21, 2021, but appealed the verdict.
But in handing down its judgment, the Court of Appeal through Justice C. J Umar held that the Sharia Court has no power over the religion of the appellant, as Nigeria is a secular state.
The judge declared: “Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution provides that every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change his religion or belief.
“This is the judgment of the court, the appellant is discharged and acquitted.”
The Sharia Court had sentenced the musician to death by hanging for blasphemy.
The 22-year-old Aminu was convicted based on Section 382 (b) of the Kano penal code of 2000 after he was accused of committing blasphemy against the Prophet in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020.
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