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International Relations
The United States has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to release Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been detained since 2020 and sentenced to death over alleged blasphemy. US Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes made the appeal during a House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee hearing, urging Nigeria to cease enforcement of blasphemy laws and protect free speech and religious freedom.
The United States has urged the Federal Government to release Nigeria n Sufi musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been in detention since 2020 after being sentenced to death over alleged blasphemy.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley Barnes, made the call on Thursday during a hearing of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee. Barnes said the US was engaging Nigerian authorities to secure the musician’s release and end the enforcement of blasphemy laws.
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We are actively pressing the government of Nigeria
“We are actively pressing the government of Nigeria and calling for the release of Sufi singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who sits on death row over blasphemy charges, and we continue to urge the government to cease the enforcement of blasphemy laws,” he said. He also criticised the prosecution of Nigerians over alleged blasphemy, including cases involving peaceful expressions of opinion.
“State officials continue to prosecute individuals for alleged blasphemy or perceived insults to Islam, including peaceful speech, which stands in clear violation of Nigeria’s obligation to safeguard free speech and religious freedom,” Barnes said. The hearing, titled ‘One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt’, examined the country’s response to insecurity and religious violence.
It came about a year after US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom concerns. During the hearing, Barnes called for greater progress in addressing attacks and ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons to their communities. He said the US would continue to assess Nigeria’s efforts based on reductions in attacks and the prosecution of those responsible for violence.
Sharif-Aminu was arrested in March 2020 after sharing
Sharif-Aminu was arrested in March 2020 after sharing song lyrics he had written through WhatsApp. The lyrics were considered blasphemous, and his family’s home was subsequently burnt by a mob.
However, the Kano State High Court overturned the conviction in 2021 on procedural grounds and ordered a retrial. He has remained in detention since then. In November 2022, Sharif-Aminu appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws. The Supreme Court held a hearing on the appeal in September 2025, allowing the challenge to the laws to proceed.
The case has also attracted international attention, with the European Parliament adopting resolutions calling for his release. In December 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion finding that his detention violated several internationally protected human rights and called for his release and compensation. In April 2025, the ECOWAS Court of Justice also ruled that Nigeria should repeal its blasphemy laws in a case involving the musician’s circumstances.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, also criticised Kano State’s blasphemy law following a visit to Nigeria in June 2026. Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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NigeriaUnited StatesReligious FreedomBlasphemyYahaya Sharif-Aminu
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