Court sets aside death sentence on Kano singer over blasphemy

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kano has set aside the death sentence imposed on a Kano singer, Aminu Sharif, for blasphemy.

The court ordered a retrial of the case against Sharif, who had filed an appeal to challenge the sentence.

In the judgment delivered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Nuraddeen Sagir, on Thursday, the court held that the lower court’s proceedings were characterised by irregularities.

Sagir also ordered that Sharif should be granted full legal representation and that the case should be tried before different judge.

Sharif was sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Sharia Court on August 10, 2020.

His lawyers filed an appeal at the state Appeal Court on October 15, 2020, challenging the death penalty.

In the appeal filed by Abdul Faruk, he had argued that Sharif is a minor.

This death sentence had sparked a nationwide outrage.

The state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had said he would not waste time in signing Aminu’s death warrant.

The United Kingdom had opposed the death penalty passed on the singer, saying people have the right to freely express opinions and peacefully challenge authorities.