By Njoku Chijioke

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling, directing Nigeria to amend or repeal the controversial blasphemy laws enforced in Kano State, which the court says violate international human rights obligations.

In its judgment, the regional court declared that Sections 210 and 382(b) of the Kano State Penal Code and the Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000 contradict Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Section 210, which deals with blasphemy in general terms, was criticised by the court for being vague and open to abuse.

Meanwhile, Section 382(b), which prescribes the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, was condemned as excessive and disproportionate, falling short of acceptable standards in any democratic society.

The case was brought by the Incorporated Trustees of Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, a Nigerian civil society group, which argued that the laws had led to arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and death sentences based on allegations of blasphemous statements.

Highlighting the gravity of the issue, the ECOWAS Court stressed that Nigeria must urgently align its laws with international human rights standards.

The ruling reinforces the principle that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy and must be protected against oppressive statutes.

The judgment is expected to intensify the conversation around religious freedom and legal reforms in Nigeria, particularly in states operating under Sharia law.

By Patrick Idowu

A Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, has granted the request of Pastor Olamide Agbejaife to dissolve his three-decade marriage to his wife, Mary, over claims of persistent sex denial and an alleged attempt to poison him.

Agbejaife, who resides in the Olodo area of Ibadan, told the court that trouble began in 2017 after he received a spiritual revelation that he would take another wife.

He alleged that Mary, since then, had refused him marital intimacy and made several attempts on his life.

“On December 6, 2021, I suffered severe stomach pain after eating the food Mary prepared,” the pastor recounted. “She has cursed me many times and even spread false news that I had died following the poisoning incident.”

Agbejaife further told the court that Mary had abandoned him for 14 months after he underwent surgery in 2022, and had been leaving their home without explanation since the birth of their first child in 1995.

In a plea to the court, Mary, a trader, begged for the marriage to be spared, expressing her hope to continue the relationship despite the accusations.

The court, however, ruled in favour of Agbejaife, bringing an end to the 30-year union.

By Adenike Lawal

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered Louisville Girls Secondary School in Gwagwalada to pay N100 million in damages for negligence that led to the tragic death of a student, Kamzie Ikpeatusim.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji delivered the ruling on April 9, 2025, in a suit filed by Kamzie’s father, Mr. Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, who accused the school of failing to provide timely medical care for his nine-year-old daughter.

Kamzie, a new boarding student, fell seriously ill on October 2, 2017, shortly after enrolling, and died just days later.

In the case marked CV/1738/18, Mr. Ikpeatusim argued that the school’s delayed response to his daughter’s deteriorating health was a fatal failure of duty.

After reviewing the evidence, Justice Oriji concluded that the school and its staff had acted negligently.

Beyond the N100 million awarded for general damages, the court also ordered that the school pay ten percent interest on the sum from April 8 until the full amount is settled.

An additional N300,000 was granted to cover legal expenses.

“No amount of money can bring back Kamzie,” Justice Oriji remarked, acknowledging the depth of the family’s loss.

He however noted a silver lining, commending the school for improvements made to its sickbay after the incident.

The court observed that medical attention at the school had since improved, with doctors now visiting students twice daily.

Although Mr. Ikpeatusim had asked the court to compel the school to name a building in Kamzie’s memory, Justice Oriji ruled that the steps taken by the school to strengthen its healthcare system were an appropriate and meaningful tribute to the late student.

The judgment has sparked conversations about accountability and the standard of care in Nigerian boarding schools, with many calling for stricter enforcement of student welfare policies to prevent such tragedies in the future.