The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to hear the high-profile appeal of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young musician sentenced to death by a Sharia court in Kano State for alleged blasphemy. The hearing has been scheduled for September 25, 2025.
Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim singer, was convicted in August 2020 after he shared song lyrics on WhatsApp that were said to insult the Prophet Muhammad. The lyrics were considered offensive by some in his community, leading to widespread outrage and protests. In the aftermath of the incident, an angry mob set his family home on fire.
The Sharia court in Kano, applying Islamic law, found him guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging—a ruling that shocked many Nigerians and drew criticism from around the world.
Human rights organisations and international bodies have strongly condemned the conviction, describing it as a violation of freedom of expression and religious liberty. Critics argue that the blasphemy laws used to sentence Sharif-Aminu are outdated, unjust, and in direct conflict with Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights commitments.
In 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned the initial conviction, pointing out that the accused had no legal representation during the original trial, which is a clear denial of his right to a fair hearing. However, rather than setting him free, the court ordered a retrial, keeping the death sentence on the table.
That decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2022, leaving Sharif-Aminu with no choice but to seek justice at the nation’s highest court.
His case has since gained global attention. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared his imprisonment a violation of international law, while the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for his immediate release and the abolition of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws.
Backing his Supreme Court appeal is ADF International, a global legal advocacy group that supports religious freedom. The group insists that the blasphemy charge violates Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, particularly the sections that protect freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as freedom of expression.
ADF International and other rights groups believe that this case presents a major opportunity for Nigeria’s judiciary to affirm the country’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights. They also argue that allowing a death sentence to stand for song lyrics sets a dangerous precedent that could be used to silence other artists, religious minorities, and free thinkers.
“Nigeria must choose between upholding justice and promoting fear,” said one of the group’s legal representatives. “This case could set a new standard for protecting fundamental freedoms in the country.”
Nigeria is one of only seven countries in the world where blasphemy can carry the death penalty, alongside nations like Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. While these laws are rarely enforced to the full extent, they remain on the books and have led to mob violence, arrests, and fear among religious minorities.
If the Supreme Court rules in Sharif-Aminu’s favour, it could not only save his life but also pave the way for a wider legal and societal conversation about the relevance of blasphemy laws in a modern democratic society.
As the September 25 hearing approaches, all eyes are on the Supreme Court, which must now decide whether to uphold the death sentence or take a stand for human rights and constitutional freedoms in Nigeria.
