PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release.
Unchained Vibes Africa joins other Nigerian, African and international organizations to call for the release of upcoming Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu
May 18, 2023
Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria
Office of the Presidency
Aso Rock Presidential Villa
Three Arms Zone 900103
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
CC: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Letter Calling for Immediate Release of Nigerian Prisoner of Conscience Yahaya Sharif-Aminu
Dear President Buhari:
We are a group of Nigerian and international organizations and advocates focused on promoting the protection of human rights, including within Nigeria. We are writing to express our grave concern at the continuing prosecution of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu in Nigeria for allegations of blasphemy. We strongly urge Nigeria to immediately release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, withdraw all charges against him, and ensure his safety.
In March 2020, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi musician in Kano State, was arrested on charges of blasphemy for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad in two WhatsApp audio messages and held without bail. Around the time of his arrest, a mob burned down his home, and no member of the mob has been prosecuted. During his trial, he was not afforded a lawyer. He was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging in August 2020 for violating Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law.
While a court later overturned the conviction, he was ordered to a retrial, where he would face the same potential death penalty. Sharif-Aminu is now appealing to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to find Section 382(b) unconstitutional and in violation of international law, including the African Charter. He has now spent over three years in prison for his peaceful and brief remarks that merely expressed his religious beliefs.
Kano State’s blasphemy law violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international law. The Nigerian Constitution protects the freedoms of thought, conscience, religion, and expression, and that includes the ability to peacefully share with others the tenets of one’s beliefs, even if others may strongly disagree with them.
International law, including the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, similarly protect freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. It also requires that the death penalty be reserved only for the most serious crimes in those States that have not abolished the death penalty. In no sense can the mere posting of peaceful audio messages expressing one’s beliefs amount to a severe crime warranting death, or even any crime at all.
International observers have condemned the continuing prosecution of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and called for his release. On April 20 of this year, the European Parliament overwhelmingly called on Nigeria to immediately release Sharif-Aminu and found that Nigeria’s blasphemy laws “are in violation of its international human rights commitments, the African Charter and the Nigerian Constitution.” Officials from the United Nations have similarly raised concerns over his prosecution and called for his release, as have officials from the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nigeria is also one of only seven countries in the world—including Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, and Saudi Arabia—with criminal blasphemy laws for which a person can be sentenced to death.
Yahaya Sharif-Aminu should never have been arrested and imprisoned in the first instance. Instead, he has had to suffer mob violence and spend years in prison for simply and peacefully sharing his beliefs with others.
A democracy cannot function when the most basic freedoms are not protected, and as the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria’s example matters. But now, Nigeria and Your Excellency have an opportunity to set a strong example that you will work to protect the rights of your citizens, not disregard them.
For all of these reasons, we reiterate our call that Nigeria immediately release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. Sincerely,
Organizations
- 21Wilberforce
- Accountability Lab Nigeria
- ADF International
- Alliance of Inclusive Muslims
- Anglican Persecuted Church Network
- Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France)
- Boat People SOS
- Buddhist Solidarity Association
- Center for Pluralism
- CHAT-PRAY-ACT
- Christian Solidarity International
- Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
- Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
- Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam
- Coptic Solidarity
- Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience
- Culture Advocates Caucus
- Elixir Trust Foundation
- Ex-Muslims of North America
- Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA)
- GAFCON Suffering Church Network
- Genocide Watch
- Global Christian Relief
- Global Peace Foundation Nigeria
- Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
- Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam
- International Christian Concern
- International Committee on Nigeria
- International Institute for Religious Freedom
- International Senior Lawyers Project
- Jubilee Campaign
- Katartismos Global
- Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice
- Lead Africa International e.V (Germany)
- Lumières Sans Frontières
- Media Foundation for West Africa
- Muslims for Progressive Values
- Nigerian Centre of PEN International (PEN Nigeria)
- NOPRIN Foundation (Network on Police Reform in Nigeria)
- Religious Freedom Institute
- Save the Persecuted Christians
- Set My People Free
- Shai Fund
- Unchained Vibes Africa
- Vietnamese Women for Human Rights
Individuals
Eedris Abdulkareem
Nigerian Rapper, Singer, Activist and Olympics Torchbearer
Jackie Abramian
Founder Global Cadence
Segun Adefila
Nigerian Actor and Culture Activist Artistic Director, Crown Troupe of Africa
Folu Agoi
President Nigerian Centre of PEN International (PEN Nigeria)
Toyin Akinosho
Nigerian Writer
Co-Founder, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
Sola Alamutu
Research & Advocacy Manager Unchained Vibes Africa
David Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool, KCSG, KCMCO
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Jahman Anikulapo
Culture Curator and Program Chair Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF)
Sam Uche Anyamele
Nigerian Actor, Producer and Event Anchor
Seyi Arowosebe, Esq.
Lawyer, Nigeria
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heiner Bielefeldt
Full Professor of Human Rights and Human Rights Politics
Institute for Political Science University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Former UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Sarah Virginia Brinton, Baroness Brinton
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Raymond Bola Browne (a.k.a. DJ Raybee)
Nigerian DJ, On-Air Personality and Culture Activist
Sir Peter Bottomley
Member of Parliament (UK)
Hon. Rollin A. Van Broekhoven
Member, Board of Directors
The Institute for Global Engagement Senior Associate
Oxford House Research Consultancy (UK)
Lisa Cameron
Member of Parliament (UK)
Victor Onuche Chapi, Esq.
Lawyer, Nigeria
Maurice Chukwu, Esq.
Director Centre for Global Tolerance and Human Rights (Nigeria)
Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, Church of England
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Prof. Dr. Jelle Creemers
Professor and Academic Dean
Evangelical Theological Faculty (ETF) Leuven
Dr. David Curry
CEO Global Christian Relief
Eme Daniel, Esq.
Lawyer, Nigeria
Soraya M. Deen
Founder
Muslim Women Speakers
Robert A. Destro
Professor of Law
The Catholic University of America
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Elaina Fowler Founder/Principal FWMGroup
Federal Affairs Associate Secular Strategies
Prof. Shaun de Freitas
Professor of Law
University of the Free State, South Africa
Ayodele Ganiu
Founder/Executive Producer Unchained Vibes Africa
Lela Gilbert
Fellow
Center for Religious Freedom Hudson Institute
Raymond Hervey Jolliffe, 5th Baron Hylton, ARICS, DL
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Rev. John Joseph Hayab
Country Director
Global Peace Foundation Nigeria
Charmaine Hedding
President Shai Fund
Lauren B. Homer
President
Law and Liberty Trust
Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath, OBE, PC
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Dr. Shuaibu Husseini
Nigerian Journalist and Film Curator
Mariam Ibraheem
Former Prisoner of Conscience in Sudan
Co-Founder & Director of Global Mobilization Tahrir Alnisa Foundation
Emmanuel Ikule
National Coordinator
NOPRIN Foundation (Network on Police Reform in Nigeria)
El-Yaqub Ismail (a.k.a. Ricqy Ultra)
Nigerian Rapper and Poet
Fr. Fidelis Bature Joseph
Director Centre for Human Resources and Trauma Care Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria
Ven Lannap
CEO and Lead
CHAT-PRAY-ACT and Bo Sita MADE Initiative
Miriam Lexmann
Member of the European Parliament (Slovakia)
Phil Lundman
Benefactor N&P Lumen Christi Trust
Chollom Chuntok Mark, Esq.
Lawyer, Nigeria
Ap. Jorge Márquez and Congregation
Mission Life for the Nations Church, Uruguay
Rachael Maskell
Member of Parliament (UK)
Evan Mawarire
Director of Education Renew Democracy Initiative
Mark McInnes, Baron McInnes of Kilwinning, CBE
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Scott Morgan
Co-Chair, Africa Working Group International Religious Freedom Roundtable)
Bryan Nerren
President
Asian Children’s Education Fellowship
Loan Nguyen
Advocates for Faith and Justice
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang
Laureate of 2011 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award
Tien Nguyen
Human Rights for Vietnam
Pretty Okafor
President Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)
Ifunanya Okeke, Esq.
Lawyer, Nigeria
Victor Okhai
President Directors Guild of Nigeria (Association of Movie Directors)
Ehi Omokhuale
Nigerian Voiceover Artist
Former President, Association of Voiceover Artists of Nigeria
Francis Onwochei
Nigerian Actor, Producer and Director
Samuel Osaze Programme Manager Unchained Vibes Africa
Myke Pam
Reggae Musician
Chairman, Nigerian Rastafari Community
Patrice J. Pederson
President
First Freedom Foundation
Dr. Gloria Puldu
President Leah Foundation, Nigeria
H. E. Pwana, Esq.
Chief Executive Director
Allied Legal Advocacy Project, Nigeria
Marie Rimmer, CBE
Member of Parliament (UK)
Bert-Jan Ruissen
Member of the European Parliament (Netherlands)
Andrew Selous
Member of Parliament (UK)
Dr. Christine M. Sequenzia, MDiv.
Founder Oliva International, LLC
Nina Shea
Director Center For Religious Freedom Hudson Institute
Indarjit Singh, Baron Singh of Wimbledon, CBE
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Tunji Sotimirin
Nigerian Actor, Comedian, Singer and Television Host
Katrina Lantos Swett
President Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice
Paul Teller
Executive Director
Advancing American Freedom
Binh Tran
President
Antelope Valley Vietnamese Association (AVVA)
Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, Church of England
Member of the House of Lords (UK)
Joël Voordewind
Member of Parliament of the Netherlands (2006-2021)
Frank Wolf
Member of U.S. Congress 1981-2015, retired
Norbert Young
Nigerian Actor and Educator
Annex of 89 Leaders of Chapters of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON)
Kanyinsola Adu, Ajayi Crowther University, President
Prosper Agbaeze, Edwin Clark University, President
Obiano Amanda, Anambra State University, General Secretary
Promise Amaukwu, Ale Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abonyi State, President Fatile Oluwanifemi Anjolaoluwa, Ajayi Crowther University, General Secretary
Ifechukwu Anyaji, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, General Secretary Sandra Attoh, University of Ibadan, President
Andrew Semasa Avoseh, Lagos State University, President
Omoloye Babatunde, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, General Secretary Olumide Badeniyi, AAUA, President
Dan Oluwapelumi Beloved, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, President Umeh C. Ben-Jonah, Abia State University, General Secretary
Famoriyo Abiola Catherine, Bingham University, President Olumba Victor Chibueze, University of Ibadan, General Secretary
Ndukwu Chibundom, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, General Secretary Okoroafor Uniquefavour Chidinma, Afe Babalola University, President David Deborah Chioma, Tansian University, General Secretary Oluwalana Daniel, Ekiti State University, President
Divine Dominion, Rivers State University, President
Iyamba Mighty Edim, Gregory University, Uturu, General Secretary Elisha, University of Abuja, General Secretary
Phillip Elisha, University of Abuja, President
Angel Emeka, Renaissance University, General Secretary Precious Farohun, Achievers University, President Favour, University of Benin, General Secretary
Ikpeazu Favour D., Abia State University (Umuahia Location), President Ekpewerechi Stella Favourite, Gregory University, President
Nwakile Onyinyechi Frances, University of Port-Harcourt, General Secretary Godlove Timothy Garba, University of Maiduguri, President
Nwakibea Gold, Rivers State University, General Secretary
Anita Ibhanesebhor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, General Secretary Kehinde Deborah Ibitoye, Ahmadu Bello University, President Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja, Nile University of Nigeria, General Secretary Ogu Loveth Isioma, Lagos State University, General Secretary
Odoh Jesukobiruo Jessica, Delta State University, President Sylvia John, University of Jos, President
Popoola Moyosoreoluwa Josephine, Achievers University, General Secretary Osemwegie Eseosa Joshua, Ambrose Alli University, General Secretary Egena-Jackson Joy, University of Jos, General Secretary
Aweribo Justice, Niger-Delta University, President
Rejoice Chioma Kalu, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, President Nwansi Chizurum Lawrence, Ebonyi State University, President Gabriel Evalsam Lyster, University of Uyo, President
Matthew Sunday Malle, Bingham University, General Secretary Benjamin Peter Mallum, University of Maiduguri, General Secretary Precious Martins, Tansian University
Faithful Oghenekomeno Matthew, Ambrose Alli University, Presidnet
Hon. Justice Godspower C. Mbuko, Ebonyi State University, General Secretary Alao Emmanuel Mosikabere, Kogi State University, General Secretary
Reuben Zakka Musa, Taraba State University, Jalingo, President Emmanuel Alexander Ndakwayi, NSUK, General Secretary Nathan Nzubechukwu, Anambra State University, President Jacinta Utavie Oboku, Niger-Delta University, General Secretary
Obukohwo Destiny Ogheneruemu, Delta State University, Oleh, General Secretary Emeka Lawrence Okwuokie, University of Calabar, General Secretary
Glory Oladipo, University of Ilorin, President
Inioluwa Prince Olaposi, Obafemi Awolowo University, General Secretary Carew Olayinka, University of Lago, President
Ibiyemi Love Oluwadarasimi, Osun State University, Ifetedo, General Secretary
Adeyeye Elijah Oluwakorede, Kwara State University, President
Ogunkoya Oluwatemiloru N, Olabisi Onabanjo University, General Secretary Adelaja Oluwatobiloba, Redeemer’s University, President
Alagbe Praise Oluwatosin, Bowen University, General Secretary Mosopefoluwa Omojola, Bowen University, President
Ogunleko Omowunmi, Olabisi Onabanjo University, President/National Publicity Head Samuel Moses Osabonya, NSUK, President
God’sBeloved Oyibo, Renaissance University, President Paul, Bayero University, President
Ojiaku Paul, Imo State University, President
Obazee Esohe Peculia, Nile University of Nigeria, President Pena, Taraba State University, General Secretary
Olasupo Praise, Ekiti State University, General Secretary Omoru Precious, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, President Onoja Ene Precious, Benue State University, General Secretary Anagbogu Prosper C., University of Uyo, General Secretary
Bejide Oluwatosin Rebecca, Edwin Clark University, General Secretary Flourish Robinson, University of Benin, President
Israel-Regha Oghenetega Salem, Redeemer’s University, General Secretary Olamide Samuel, Lead City University, General Secretary
Metibemu Sarah, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, General Secretary Larayetan Tosin Sharon, University of Port Harcourt, President
Evuarherhe Avwerosuo Clement Solace, University of Calabar, President Ajibola Taiwo, Uniosun Ifetedo, President
Ihekoronye Solomon Tochukwu, Imo State University, General Secretary Iheoma Ukwe, Unizik, President
Terwase Samuel Ushana, Benue State University, Makurdi, President Chukwuebuka Onyegbosi Victor, Batero University, Kano, General Secretary
Chris-Agunwa Victoria, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, President Jason Zalanga, Ahmadu Bello University, General Secretary
