Sharia court sentences 9 to death for blasphemy

An upper sharia court in Rijiyar Lemo, Kano state, has sentenced nine people – including Abdul-Inyas and Hajiya Mairoto – to death for blasphemy against the prophet of Islam.

According to a press statement signed and issued by Malam Nasiru on behalf of the state sharia court of appeal, the nine people were found guilty under Section 110 and Section 382b of the Sharia Penal Court law year 2000.

“They are hereby sentenced to death,” the statement read.

The offence was committed in May and it resulted (pictured) in a protest during which hundreds of Muslim youths torched the sharia court.

They accused Nyas, leader of the Tijjaniyya sect, of “making unguarded statements against Prophet Mohammed last week”, during his usual preaching at Goron Dutse General area of Kano metropolis.

Alkasim Abubakar, Yahya Abubakar, Isa Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar, who were arrested alongside the convicted persons, were discharged and acquitted.