The European Union Parliament has passed a resolution urging Nigerian authorities to immediately release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State.
The resolution also called for the repeal of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, stating that they contradict the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The resolution, identified as RC-B10-0101/2025, was announced by Sharif-Aminu’s lawyer, Kola Alapinni, on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Alapinni, an international human rights lawyer, described the development as a “mission accomplished” and noted that the resolution was passed with overwhelming support and almost no dissenting voice in the European Parliament.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Sharif-Aminu, a 22-year-old singer, was sentenced to death by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano in August 2020 for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) in a song. However, in January 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned his conviction and death sentence, citing procedural irregularities in the Sharia court trial and ordered a retrial. This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in August 2022, but Sharif-Aminu remains in detention as his case is still pending before the Supreme Court.
The European Parliament’s resolution expressed concern over human rights violations in blasphemy cases, referencing international conventions and Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and expression. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of Sharif-Aminu and others facing blasphemy charges, as well as urgent improvements in his detention conditions, including access to food, clothing, and medical care. The resolution also called for a fair and expedited appeal process at the Supreme Court.
The EU Parliament further urged the Nigerian government to impose a nationwide moratorium on executions and work towards abolishing the death penalty. It also called for measures to combat impunity in blasphemy cases by penalising those who make false accusations and prosecuting perpetrators of mob violence.
The resolution commended Nigeria for the recent acquittal of Rhoda Jatau and the release of Mubarak Bala, both of whom were previously detained on blasphemy charges. It instructed the President of the European Union Parliament to forward the resolution to the European Commission, European Council, European External Action Service, and the Nigerian Parliament.
Nigerian authorities were yet to respond to the EU’s demands.
