After going through an arduous legal battle that lasted over four years since his arrest in April 2020 for blasphemy, a Court of Appeal in the northern Nigerian state of Kano reduced Mubarak Bala’s sentence from 24 to 5 years in prison on May 13th.
Humanists Welcome Reduction Of Blasphemy Sentence For Nigerian Atheist, Bala To 5 Years But Will Fight For Full Acquittal –Leo Igwe | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/LxZlVlFhRC pic.twitter.com/FA3mimYmNO
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 13, 2024
The decision came after Bala, who previously served as the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, appealed his conviction after a State High Court in Audu Bako, Kano State, sentenced him to 24 years in prison for committing blasphemy against Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
The self-identified Nigerian atheist was accused of violating Section 210 of Kano State’s Penal Code and Section 26 (1)(c) of the country’s Cybercrimes Act of 2015. His conviction became a landmark case in Nigeria, and many politicians and organizations called for Bala’s release.
James Ibor, Bala’s lawyer, was elated over the decision, telling journalists they were “grateful the court agreed with us that the sentence was against the law.”
They should free Mubarak Bala!!
He didn’t do anything wrong!!— Oyediran (@Dirawnn) May 13, 2024
“The full judgment will be published later this week, so until then, I don’t have much to say,” Bala’s counsel also said.
However, Ibor said Bala’s legal team is also interested in the court’s position regarding Bala’s challenge to the court's jurisdiction despite his guilty plea. Humanists International also said it had reason to believe Bala’s plea was made under duress.
Bala instructed his legal team to appeal on four grounds listed: “Lack of jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court; the Judge’s predisposition to convict as indicated in the delivery of his ruling; failure to accord Bala the benefits of a guilty plea and misapplication of law in sentencing Bala to consecutive terms.”
It's still inhumane and cruel. Religion sucks. #freeMubarakBala
— adeiza gadfly (@olutiminiback) May 13, 2024
On its website, Humanists International also said it "believes that Nigerian humanist Mubarak Bala has been targeted solely for his peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of religion or belief, and expression.”
It urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the High Court and uphold Bala’s appeal to quash his conviction and facilitate his immediate and unconditional release.
