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.
