“We fully respect the court’s authority, but the laws that govern our state must reflect the unique moral and religious fabric of our people,…
The Kano State Government has rejected the ECOWAS Court’s ruling that declared aspects of its blasphemy laws incompatible with international human rights standards. In a statement, Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Garba Waiya, affirmed the state’s commitment to enforcing laws that reflect the values of its predominantly Muslim population.
“We will not be deterred by external pressures. Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society,” Waiya stated.
This response follows a judgment by the ECOWAS Court in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of Expression Now Human Rights Initiative. The court ruled that specific provisions in Kano’s Penal and Sharia Penal Codes violated freedom of expression under international law.
While acknowledging the court’s authority, Waiya insisted the laws are necessary for peace and moral order.
“We fully respect the court’s authority, but the laws that govern our state must reflect the unique moral and religious fabric of our people,” he said.
