Hope as Kano man sentenced to die for blasphemy appeals

By Our Reporter

September 3, 2020 - There is now a glimmer of hope for 22-year-old Yahaya Shariff-Aminu, a Kano Musician who was sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Sharia Court in Kano, as an appeal has been filed against his sentence.

Recall that Kano State Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje said last week that he was ready to sign the death warrant for the young musician if the time to file an appeal lapses.

Shariff-Aminu was sentenced to die for speaking ill against Prophet Mohammed, an action which the Upper Sharia Court in the state found to be blasphemous and also found him guilty of.

However, in an appeal filed before a Kano State High Court, the defendant described Sharia law as practiced in the state as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

In the notice of appeal marked CR/43/2020, and filed by his lawyer, Kola Alapinni, the convict sued the Attorney-General of the state and the Kano State Governor.

He based his appeal on one ground which is that Sharia law which formed the basis of his conviction was illegal and unconstitutional.