Kano Singer’s death sentence: Falana drags Nigeria to ACHPR

Fiery and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana says he has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in The Gambia over the death sentence passed on Kano singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. 

It will be recalled that an Upper Sharia Court in August sentenced Sharif-Aminu to death by hanging for blaspheming Prophet Muhammad in a song. 

Falana, in the petition dated September 8, asked the commission to urge the Nigerian authorities “to stop the irreparable damage that would be caused to the petitioner and his charter rights.” 

He decried the delay in securing certified true copies of the court’s judgement, noting that although the musician had appealed the sentence, they believe he petitioner will not get a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging. 

According to him, by denying Sharif-Aminu fair trial, the commission should find Nigeria wanting for violating seven articles of the charter. 

He said: “By virtue of the decision to execute the petitioner, find that Nigeria has violated his right to life under Article 4 of the African Charter, and the resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN General Assembly. 

“Find that Nigeria has deliberately and willfully disregarded the request by the African Commission to the effect that African countries, including Nigeria that still retain the death penalty should fully comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and guarantee to every person accused of crimes for which capital punishment is applicable, fair trial standards, including access to legal representation.” 

Falana, however, urged the commission to ask the Nigerian authorities to “faithfully and fully implement resolutions on moratorium on executions” adopted by the African body and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).