Amnesty International demands release of Kano musician sentenced to death

Amnesty International, the Non-Governmental Organisation focused on championing human rights has criticized and condemned the death sentence given to musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death by a Sharia Court in Kano State for blaspheming Prophet Mohammed.

In a statement released on Thursday, August 13, 2020 the rights group called on the authorities, to rule out the conviction and death sentence.

The statement was signed by the group's spokesman, Isa Sanusi, and was titled, "Authorities must quash the conviction and death sentence imposed on Kano-based singer"

It read in part, “The authorities of Kano State of Nigeria must immediately quash the conviction and death sentence of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death by hanging on spurious charges of blasphemy by the Kano Upper Shari’a Court.”

The group described the conviction as unjust, adding that the musician did not get a fair hearing.

“Furthermore, the imposition of the death penalty following an unfair trial violates the right to life. Yahaya Sharif-Aminu must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director.

Sharif-Aminu was arrested in March this year, after protesters burnt down his family home and led a procession to the Kano Hisbah command headquarters, demanding for his arrest and prosecution.