Supreme Court to Hear Landmark Appeal of Musician Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will hold a long-awaited hearing on September 25 for Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young Sufi Muslim musician sentenced to death in 2020 for alleged blasphemy. Sharif-Aminu was convicted by a Kano State Sharia court after sharing song lyrics on WhatsApp deemed offensive. Before his arrest, a mob set fire to his home.

The conviction sparked international outrage, with human rights groups condemning Nigeria’s blasphemy laws. In 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned his conviction due to procedural flaws, including the lack of legal representation, but ordered a retrial where he could again face the death penalty. An appellate court upheld this decision in 2022, leading Sharif-Aminu to appeal to the Supreme Court.

International rights group ADF International is backing his defense, arguing the case could challenge blasphemy laws in northern Nigeria and set a precedent for freedom of religion nationwide. Kelsey Zorzi, ADF International’s Director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom, emphasized that no one should face death for peacefully sharing song lyrics, calling the hearing a critical step toward justice.

Sharif-Aminu’s legal team is asking the Supreme Court not only to free him but also to declare Kano’s death penalty for blasphemy unconstitutional, citing violations of Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations. Sean Nelson, ADF International’s Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom, said the case could determine whether Nigerians can live free from fear under unjust blasphemy laws.

The case has attracted global attention. The European Parliament passed resolutions in 2023 and 2025 demanding Sharif-Aminu’s release and calling for repeal of blasphemy laws. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also deemed his imprisonment a violation of international law.

International human rights lawyer Kola Alapinni expressed hope that the Supreme Court will uphold religious freedom, calling for an end to the misuse of blasphemy laws that harm religious minorities. Nigeria remains one of only seven countries where blasphemy can be punished by death, making this case potentially historic. A ruling in Sharif-Aminu’s favor could render such laws unenforceable and expand protections for religious minorities across the country.