US Urges Nigeria: Free Yahaya Sharif-Aminu From Blasphemy Death Row

• The United States has urged Nigeria to release musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who is on death row for blasphemy.
• Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death by a Kano Sharia court in August 2020 after sharing song lyrics deemed blasphemous.
• His conviction was overturned on procedural grounds in 2021, but he remains detained while his appeal challenging Nigeria's blasphemy laws proceeds at the Supreme Court.
• The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled in April 2025 that Nigeria should repeal its blasphemy laws, and UN bodies have called for his release.
• US Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes stated the US is actively pressing Nigeria to cease enforcement of blasphemy laws, citing violations of free speech and religious freedom.

The United States has formally called upon the Nigerian government to release Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been held in detention since 2020 following a death sentence for alleged blasphemy.

The United States has formally called upon the Nigerian government to release Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been held in detention since 2020 following a death sentence for alleged blasphemy. This urgent appeal was delivered by Riley Barnes, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, during a recent hearing of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee. Barnes emphasized that the US is actively engaging with Nigerian authorities to secure the musician's freedom and to advocate for an end to the enforcement of blasphemy laws across the nation.

Barnes articulated the US position, stating that his country is vigorously pressing Nigeria's government for the release of Sharif-Aminu, who remains on death row due to blasphemy charges. He reiterated the ongoing plea for the government to cease the application of these laws. The Assistant Secretary also voiced strong criticism regarding the prosecution of Nigerian citizens for alleged blasphemy, particularly in instances involving what he described as peaceful expressions of opinion. He highlighted that such actions, including those targeting peaceful speech, represent a clear violation of Nigeria's international obligations to uphold both free speech and religious freedom.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu's legal ordeal began in March 2020, when he was arrested after circulating song lyrics he had composed via WhatsApp. These lyrics were deemed blasphemous, leading to a mob setting fire to his family's home. A Sharia court in Kano State subsequently convicted him and imposed a death sentence by hanging in August 2020. However, the Kano State High Court later overturned this conviction in 2021, citing procedural irregularities, and mandated a retrial. Despite this ruling, Sharif-Aminu has remained in detention since his initial arrest.

In a significant development, Sharif-Aminu initiated an appeal to the Supreme Court in November 2022, directly challenging the constitutionality of Nigeria's blasphemy laws. The Supreme Court proceeded with a hearing on this pivotal appeal in September 2025, thereby allowing the legal challenge against these statutes to advance. This ongoing legal battle underscores the broader implications of blasphemy laws within Nigeria's judicial system and their impact on fundamental human rights.

The circumstances surrounding Yahaya Sharif-Aminu's case have garnered considerable international attention and condemnation. The European Parliament has passed resolutions specifically calling for his release, reflecting widespread concern. In December 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion concluding that Sharif-Aminu's detention contravened several internationally protected human rights, advocating for his immediate release and appropriate compensation.

Further compounding the international pressure, the ECOWAS Court of Justice delivered a ruling in April 2025, asserting that Nigeria ought to repeal its blasphemy laws. This decision, which arose from a case connected to the musician's situation, represents a significant legal precedent. Adding to this chorus of criticism, Nazila Ghanea, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, publicly criticized Kano State's blasphemy law following her visit to Nigeria in June 2026, highlighting persistent concerns about religious freedom and expression in the region.

The US House of Representatives hearing, titled "One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt," provided the platform for Assistant Secretary Barnes' remarks. This session was convened approximately a year after then-US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to significant religious freedom issues. The hearing delved into Nigeria's strategies for addressing insecurity and religious violence across the nation.

During his testimony, Barnes urged for greater progress in mitigating attacks and ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons to their communities. He affirmed that the United States would continue to evaluate Nigeria's commitment to these issues based on measurable reductions in violent incidents and the successful prosecution of those responsible for perpetrating such acts. The US stance emphasizes a direct link between human rights, religious freedom, and the broader stability of the region.

Lawyers should monitor the ongoing Supreme Court appeal challenging Nigeria's blasphemy laws and the ECOWAS Court ruling for potential shifts in legal precedent regarding freedom of speech and religious expression, especially when advising clients on human rights compliance or defending individuals accused under these statutes.

Source: Reporting based on The PUNCH's coverage.