US EditionNigeria's Supreme Court allows late appeal in Kano blasphemy case
The Supreme Court permitted a late appeal in the blasphemy case of musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, highlighting ongoing legal disputes over due process and Islamic law enforcement.
- On Thursday, Nigeria's Supreme Court in Abuja granted lawyers for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu permission to file a late appeal and ordered an accelerated hearing.
- After sharing a WhatsApp song on March 4, 2020, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu faced blasphemy charges and was convicted by Kano Sharia courts on August 10, 2020, receiving a death sentence.
- On January 21, 2021 the Kano State High Court quashed his conviction for lack of legal representation, and the Court of Appeal in Kano later ordered a retrial by majority with a dissent arguing discharge.
- Government counsel in Kano defended the conviction, while authorities warned `If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s decision, we will execute him publicly` and said they would not condone the alleged blasphemy.
- Defence lawyers have challenged Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000 as conflicting with Nigeria's secular constitution, and Sharif-Aminu's team said `We will file the appeal next week` as Supreme Court proceedings continue.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Nigeria: Supreme Court allows late appeal in Kano blasphemy case
Nigeria's Supreme Court has granted a musician, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy, permission to appeal against his controversial sentence outside of the legal timeframe. Yahaya Sharif Aminu was convicted of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed in 2020 by an Islamic religious court in Kano State. FRANCE 24's Sam Olukoya tells us more.
Nigeria’s Supreme Court allows late appeal in musician’s blasphemy case
Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Thursday granted lawyers representing Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, permission to file an appeal outside the legally prescribed timeframe.
Nigeria's Supreme Court grants late appeal in Kano blasphemy case
STORY: Nigeria's Supreme Court on Thursday granted lawyers representing a musician sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy permission to file an appeal outside the legally prescribed timeframe. ... -September 25, 2025 at 04:49 pm EDT MarketScreener
Nigeria's Supreme Court allows late appeal in Kano blasphemy case
Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Thursday granted lawyers representing Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, permission to file an appeal outside the legally prescribed timeframe.
Nigeria top court takes up WhatsApp blasphemy case
ABUJA: Nigeria’s Supreme Court held its first hearing in a high-profile blasphemy case Thursday that defense lawyers hope will lead to a ruling that puts curbs on sharia law. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim musician, was sentenced to death by a sharia court in Nigeria’s northern Kano state in 2020 for sharing song lyrics deemed to insult the Prophet Muhammad.
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