Mubarak Bala Express Fear Over His Life After Release From Prison For Blasphemy

Mubarak Bala, a self-declared atheist and former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has expressed concerns about his safety following his release from prison.

Bala was freed after serving nearly four years behind bars for charges of blasphemy and incitement, which stemmed from social media posts that offended some members of the Muslim community.

He was initially arrested at his Kaduna home on April 28, 2020, and later transferred to Kano to face charges of disturbing public peace and inciting outrage.

Mubarak Bala’s case drew widespread international attention, with human rights groups questioning Nigeria’s commitment to free speech and expressing concerns over his treatment.

In 2022, a Kano State High Court sentenced Bala to 24 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including blasphemy and incitement.

Before his conviction, he had already spent two years in detention awaiting trial. However, an appeal court later reduced his sentence, calling it excessive.

Speaking to the BBC about his current situation, Bala revealed that he is being kept in a secure location due to persistent threats to his life.

“The freedom is here but also, there is an underlying threat that I will now have to face, probably all those years those threats are maybe out there while I was under the security system. The concern about my safety is always there,” Bala said.

Bala also explained why he chose to plead guilty to the charges, a decision that puzzled many, including his own legal team.

The atheist said he did so to protect himself and those connected to his case, such as his lawyers, friends, and family.

““I believe what I did saved not only my life, but people in Kano. Especially those that were attached to my case, because they are also a target,” he stated.

Upon his release from prison in Abuja, Bala appeared visibly tired but relieved, wearing a simple white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and flip-flops.

His lawyer accompanied him, both of them smiling.

“Everything is new to me. Everything is new,” Bala said, reflecting on his regained freedom.

Bala’s conviction and imprisonment sparked outrage among human rights advocates and sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s small atheist and humanist communities.

Leo Igwe, founder of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, welcomed Bala’s release but lamented the damage done to his reputation.

He said, “It’s thanks and no thanks.

“Thanks, that he’s out, thanks that he’s a free man. But no thanks, because there is a dent on him as if he committed a crime. For us at the Humanist Association, he committed no crime.”

Now free, Mubarak Bala said he is focused on rebuilding his life and reconnecting with his young son, who was just six weeks old when he was arrested.

Despite everything, he remains resolute about his activism.

“My activism, my posting on social media, I always knew the worst would happen, When I made the decision to come out, I knew I could be killed. I knew the dangers, and I still decided to do it.,” he said.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2020, Mubarak Bala was arrested by the police in Kaduna State for blasphemy against Islam and insulting Prophet Muhammad on his Facebook page.