Nigeria's Supreme Court Allows Appeal in Kano Blasphemy Case

Supreme Court Grants Appeal in Blasphemy Case

• ⚖️ Nigeria's Supreme Court has granted lawyers representing musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu permission to file an appeal outside the legally prescribed time frame.
• 📌 Sharif-Aminu was convicted in 2020 by a Kano state Sharia court for allegedly making blasphemous remarks about the prophet Muhammad.

Defense Arguments and Musician's Innocence

• 🗣️ The musician's legal team argued that the trial was flawed, citing the absence of legal representation during proceedings.
• 🚫 Sharif-Aminu's lawyer stated that the musician is still considered innocent and does not want to return to Sharia court for a retrial.
• 📜 The death sentence was reportedly quashed about 4 years ago by the appellate division of the Kano State High Court.

Constitutional Challenges and State Defense

• ⚖️ The defense also challenged the constitutionality of sections of Kano State Sharia law that prescribe capital punishment and amputation, arguing they conflict with Nigeria's secular constitution.
• 🛡️ The Kano state government defended the original verdict, stating that anyone uttering words that touch the integrity of the holy prophet will be punished.

National and International Attention

• 🌍 The case has drawn national and international attention, highlighting tensions between religious law and constitutional rights in Nigeria.