A Kano High Court (Appeal Division) is set to deliver judgement on two appeal cases of blasphemy before it.
There was a heavy security presence at the court which was equally filled with lawyers, Human rights and journalists as well as several interest parties.
- Jega: Why Nigerians are demanding for restructuring
- Happenings now at the on-going #18th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme: “Restructuring: Why? How?” in Abuja.
The judgement earlier scheduled for 12 noon was shifted to 1.30 pm as announced by court officials following a bereavement on one of the judges in the panel.
The cases are those of 22-year-old Yahaya Aminu Sharif sentenced to death by an Upper Shariah court and a 13 year-old-boy Umar Faruk sentenced to 10 years imprisonment both for blasphemy.
During the court last sitting in November last year, the appellant counsels led by Barrister Kola Alapinni urged the court to set aside the judgement of the lower courts on grounds that their client was not given fair hearing just as the procedures of which he was tried violated the constitution of the federation.
On her part, the state counsel, Barrister Aisha Mahud urged the court to affirm the conviction of the lower court and dismiss the appeal.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Nasiru Saminu, said judgement is reserved and a date will be communicated to both parties.
Daily Trust recalled that Shariff Yahaya Aminu was convicted on a one-count charge of insulting religious creed, contrary to Section 382 (6) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000.
Aminu committed the offence via a WhatsApp post on February 28, 2020, in which he called the Holy prophet a ‘mushrik’ (proclaiming other gods).
