United Kingdom has opposed the death sentence passed on a Kano musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, by a Shari’a court, stressing that people should have the right to freely express opinions and peacefully challenge authorities.
A Shari’a court recently imposed the death sentence on a gospel singer, Sharif-Aminu, for committing blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed in a song he circulated via a WhatsApp platform.
The Shari’a Council also urged urged Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State to sign the death warrant.
The decision had sparked widespread outrage, with civil society groups condemning the court’s decision and the UK stressing that freedom of speech remains essential to a free and open society.
The Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Christopher Ogunmodede, in a statement, said the UK Government opposes death penalty in all circumstances.
“The United Kingdom is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief around the world, and to being a strong voice internationally in defence of this fundamental right’’.
“We believe that the rights of individuals to express opinions and peacefully challenge authorities are essential to a free and open society. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. It is a long standing policy of the UK Government to oppose the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle,” the statement said.