Supreme Court Begins Hearing On Appeal Of Kano Singer Sentenced To Death For Blasphemy

The Supreme Court has begun hearings in the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Kano musician sentenced to death by hanging over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

The matter came up on Thursday at the apex court, marking a crucial point in a case that has sparked widespread debate both in Nigeria and abroad since 2020.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu’s troubles began on March 4, 2020, after he shared a song on WhatsApp containing lyrics considered offensive to Prophet Muhammad.

His action triggered protests in Kano, where an angry mob set fire to his family home and demanded his arrest. He was later detained by the Hisbah police.

On August 10, 2020, a Sharia court in Hausawa Filin Hockey, Kano, found him guilty and sentenced him to death.

During the trial, Sharif-Aminu did not contest the charges, though the presiding judge, Aliyu Muhammad Kani, reminded him of his right to appeal.

The judgment quickly gained global attention, with critics raising questions about freedom of speech and the fairness of the trial.

Challenging the verdict, Sharif-Aminu first approached the Kano State High Court.

In January 2021, the court overturned the conviction, ruling that he had been denied legal representation during the initial proceedings.

However, instead of freeing him, the court ordered that Sharif-Aminu be tried afresh before another Sharia court.

Unhappy with the decision, he took the matter to the Court of Appeal in Kano, insisting that once the conviction was nullified, he should have been discharged.

In its ruling, the appellate court, by majority decision, upheld the order for a retrial, stating it was lawful and necessary.

The judges also ruled that the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000, under which Sharif-Aminu was first convicted, was valid and not unconstitutional.

However, a minority opinion disagreed, arguing that Sharif-Aminu should have been freed once the earlier trial was declared flawed.

Still dissatisfied, the singer escalated the case to the Supreme Court, where proceedings are now underway.

KanyiDaily recalls that Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was accused of committing blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Muhammad in a song he released via WhatsApp in March 2020.