US calls on Nigerian government to release singer facing death penalty for blasphemy

The US has urged Nigeria to free Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who could face another death sentence over alleged blasphemy in Kano, and to stop enforcing blasphemy laws.

The United States has called on the Nigerian government to release Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who faces the death penalty over alleged blasphemy in Kano State, Sahara Reporters reports.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Riley Barnes made the call in written testimony to a House subcommittee on Thursday.

“We are actively pressing the Government of Nigeria and calling for the release of Sufi singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who sits on death row over blasphemy charges.

“We continue to urge the government to cease enforcement of blasphemy laws,” he said.

Barnes said Nigeria was among eight countries where blasphemy could attract the death penalty.

Sharif-Aminu was arrested in March 2020 after sharing a song on WhatsApp that some considered derogatory to Prophet Muhammad. A Kano Sharia court sentenced him to death that August.

The conviction was overturned in 2021, but a retrial was ordered. His challenge to the blasphemy laws is pending at the Supreme Court.