‘It is terrorism!’ — Nigerians kick against death penalty for singer accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad in Kano state

 

Some Nigerians have flooded social media to register their anger and disapproval over the death sentence handed to a Kano-based singer accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.

 

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a 22-year-old native of Sharifai in Kano metropolis, was sentenced to death by hanging on Monday by an upper Sharia court in the state after he was found guilty of committing blasphemy in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March.

 

The singer was accused of glorifying an imam from the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood to the extent where he was said to have elevated the cleric above the prophet — a development that had provoked riots in the metropolis.

 

While Sharif-Aminu did not deny the charges, Khadi Aliyu Muhammad Kani, the judge who presided over the case, said he could appeal against the verdict.

 

The death sentence has, however, provoked outrage on social media platforms, where a number of Nigerians have taken to express their anger.

 

“A death penalty for blasphemy is no different from terrorists killing people for being “infidels”. A death penalty for blasphemy is terrorism,” a Twitter user said.

 

“Nothing, and I mean nothing should ever warrant the killing of anyone for anything they’ve said. This is repulsive and regressive. Death sentencing for blasphemy is a human rights violation and the FG must act to stop the sentence from being carried out,” another user said.

 

Here is what some Nigerians had to say:

Boko Haram terrorists are worthy to receive amnesty, but Death sentence for blasphemy!

Madness!

— E B I T U™ (@EbituPromise) August 11, 2020

Blasphemy laws derogate from citizens' fundamental human right to freedom of religion guaranteed by S38 of Nigeria's Constitution.

The sentencing of a Kano Musician to death by Sharia Court over allegation of blasphemy is preposterous. It's antithetical to democratic tenets.

— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) August 10, 2020

So kano state can practice a law that supersedes the Nigerian Constitution?

Boko Haram kills people because of blasphemy and also a court in Kano can also sentence people to death because of blasphemy?

So what's the difference between Kano State and Terrorists?

— PROF. LATTE™ | #ENDSKGENOCIDE (@honilatte) August 11, 2020

This country will imprison adults who have consensual sex

This country will sentence someone to death for Blasphemy adjacent

But will rehabilitate boko haram members and release them back into society???

I have back pains pic.twitter.com/eoK8rUhRaM

— Thundazz⚡ (@Thundazz2) August 10, 2020

This country will imprison adults who have consensual sex

This country will sentence someone to death for Blasphemy adjacent

But will rehabilitate boko haram members and release them back into society???

I have back pains pic.twitter.com/eoK8rUhRaM

— Thundazz⚡ (@Thundazz2) August 10, 2020

Nigerian singer sentenced to death for blasphemy. The country is governed by a group with a backward mentality. Condemnable. https://t.co/l8SfmVFXI3

— Imam of Peace💡 (@Imamofpeace) August 11, 2020

We're in a civilized world where we don't need to keep fighting God's fight.
How can a sane society sentence a man to death just because of BLASPHEMY?. We need justice and freedom of speech in this country.
#dontexecute#dontexecute #dontexecute #dontexecute pic.twitter.com/Skdjjo7QLh

— Erigo Ifeanyi (@Erigo_ifeanyi) August 11, 2020

President Buhari must prevail on Ganduje to immediately pardon man sentenced to death in Kano for blasphemy. This is a huge embarrassment to our country.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) August 10, 2020

Nigeria forgave 600 terrorists but is about to sentence a man to death for blasphemy. I hate it here so much

— 𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝙰𝙿 👩🏼‍⚕️ (@fluffyakaraa) August 10, 2020

A governor caught on tape stuffing dollars in his babariga is the person saddled with the responsibility of signing the death warrant of someone convicted of blasphemy.

What a circus

— DEMAGOGUE PhD.💘senior advocat🎓 (@von_Bismack) August 10, 2020

Shame on you if you are in support of the death penalty for blasphemy in 2020.

— Aproko Doctor (@aproko_doctor) August 11, 2020

Nothing, and I mean nothing should ever warrant the killing of anyone for anything they’ve said. This is repulsive and regressive. Death sentencing for blasphemy are a human rights violation and the FG must act to stop the sentence from being carried out. https://t.co/TdaYlDOj54

— Fakhrriyyah (@FakhuusHashim) August 10, 2020

Someone was sentenced to death for blasphemy against prophet Mohammed but rapists and false rape accusers are walking freely.

— Duke of Ibadan 🀄️ (@AsiwajuLerry) August 10, 2020

"Repentant cold blooded killers" are "forgiven and rehabilitated" while their victims are still left in IDP Camps..

But someone is sentenced to death for blasphemy!

Abeg, if you are privileged to seek a better life elsewhere, get out of this contraption called Nigeria asap! 😑 pic.twitter.com/Em54DyIY77

— Foluso 'Jide Olorungbon (@olababs) August 11, 2020

A Sharia court in Nigeria has sentenced a musician to death for blasphemy

Although people who practice Islam claim that Boko Haram terrorists are not part of them, there is really no difference between people who support this sentence and the terrorists. They’re all murderers.

— Oscar-Romero (@mroscarromero) August 11, 2020

There’s nothing peaceful about any religion that punishes people for blasphemy, even sentencing them to death for exercising their God given right to free speech.

It’s terrorism.

— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) August 10, 2020

A DEATH PENALTY FOR BLASPHEMY IS NO DIFFERENT FROM TERRORISTS KILLING PEOPLE FOR BEING "INFIDELS"

A DEATH PENALTY FOR BLASPHEMY IS TERRORISM

— Freddie🌻 (@Freddieunicorn5) August 11, 2020