A Nigerian appeals court has significantly reduced the prison sentence of Mubarak Bala, an atheist activist, for blasphemy.
Bala, who leads a humanist association, was originally sentenced to 24 years in jail by a high court in Kano State in April 2022 for Facebook posts deemed critical of Islam.
The case highlights the sensitive nature of religious criticism in Nigeria, where Sharia law applies alongside common law in the Muslim-majority north.
Bala’s online pronouncements against Islam were considered blasphemous, though the exact content of the posts remains unclear.
Despite attempts by his lawyer to change his plea, Bala pleaded guilty to all 18 charges against him. His lawyer condemned the initial 24-year sentence as “outrageous” and vowed to appeal.
On Monday, a glimmer of hope emerged for Bala. An appellate court, delivering its judgment via Google Teams, reduced his sentence to five years.
This means Bala could be released within a year, as he’s already served a portion of his sentence.
While details of the reduced sentence are still emerging, Bala’s defense team remains cautiously optimistic.
The case underscores the complexities of freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in Nigeria. While blasphemy carries the death penalty under Sharia law, executions are rare.
However, mob violence against those accused of blasphemy remains a concern.
Bala’s case is just one example of how religious tensions can play out in the legal system.
The reduced sentence offers a measure of relief, but the underlying issues of religious freedom and blasphemy laws in Nigeria remain unresolved.
