The European Parliament has called for the immediate release of Nigerian musician Yahaya Sharif‑Aminu, who faces a blasphemy charge over a song about the Prophet Muhammad. The demand was posted on the official social‑media account of the EU Parliament’s freedom‑of‑religion group, the EU FORB Intergroup.
According to the EU FORB Intergroup, a government lawyer recently threatened to hang the young musician after he shared the song’s lyrics in a WhatsApp group. The group noted that Sharif‑Aminu’s case has been on its radar for years and that the European Parliament has already adopted two resolutions—one in February 2025—urging Nigeria to abolish the death penalty and to free him immediately.
Sharif‑Aminu, a resident of Kano State, was sentenced to death in 2020 for alleged blasphemy after the private WhatsApp posting sparked outrage. Recently, Nigeria’s Supreme Court granted his lawyers permission to file an appeal outside the normally prescribed timeframe, bringing renewed international attention to the case. Global religious‑freedom advocate Sean Nelson quoted an alleged Kano government lawyer in a Newsweek opinion piece, stating, “This man will be executed.”
The European Parliament’s call underscores concerns about freedom of expression and religion in Nigeria as the Supreme Court considers the appeal, which could determine Sharif‑Aminu’s fate. International observers will be watching closely to see how Nigeria’s judicial system handles the case and whether the musician will be released.
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