Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the Federal Government to promptly implement the April 9, 2025, ECOWAS Court of Justice ruling, which found parts of Kano State’s blasphemy laws violated Nigeria’s commitments under the ACHPR and ICCPR. MRA called on the government to quickly follow the court’s order to align Nigerian laws with international human
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the Federal Government to promptly implement the April 9, 2025, ECOWAS Court of Justice ruling, which found parts of Kano State’s blasphemy laws violated Nigeria’s commitments under the ACHPR and ICCPR.
MRA called on the government to quickly follow the court’s order to align Nigerian laws with international human rights standards, warning that ignoring the judgment would weaken the rule of law and damage Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
On April 9, the ECOWAS Court unanimously ruled that blasphemy laws in Kano State’s penal codes and similar laws violate fundamental human rights, especially freedom of expression protected by the African Charter and ICCPR.
The Court ruled that Nigeria must align its domestic laws with the African Charter and the ICCPR. It ordered the Federal Government to repeal or amend blasphemy provisions in the Kano State Penal Code, Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000, and similar laws, as they conflict with Nigeria’s obligations to protect freedom of expression under international agreements.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Mr. Monday Arunsi, Acting Head of MRA’s Legal Department, said the organisation agreed with the Court’s reasoning when it stated that “capital punishment is typically reserved for serious crimes like murder, terrorism or genocide where there is a clear victim who has suffered grave harm, not speech or disrespect. The Court thinks that there are less restrictive ways in which the State could limit the freedom of expression to ensure respect for the religious beliefs of others and the preservation of public peace.”
According to Mr. Arunsi, “Nigeria cannot pick and choose which of its international obligations to respect. The judgment of the ECOWAS Court is binding, and the Federal Government has a legal and moral duty to comply with it and ensure that the provisions of all federal and state laws are consistent with the regional and international instruments to which it is a State Party and, in particular, that the laws protect the rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter and the ICCPR, which Nigeria has voluntarily ratified. Compliance is, therefore, not optional.”
He noted that the Court’s decision reinforces longstanding concerns by human rights advocates in Nigeria and internationally that certain provisions of the Sharia Penal Code of Kano State and similar laws in many other States, particularly those criminalising blasphemy and prescribing harsh punishments such as the death penalty, are inconsistent with international human rights standards.
Mr. Arunsi called on the Federal Government to “demonstrate leadership in the region by taking immediate steps to engage with the Government of Kano State and other states with similar laws to ensure a comprehensive review and reform of such legislation, in line with Nigeria’s international obligations and in compliance with the orders of the Court.”
He stressed that such reforms should include the amendment or repeal of all provisions that violate the right to freedom of expression, while preserving freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, adding that “Respect for the rule of law and for the decisions of competent international courts is fundamental to the protection of human rights, the promotion of justice, and the preservation of Nigeria’s standing in the international community.”
Mr. Arunsi also urged the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant institutions to play their part in ensuring that Nigeria’s legal framework fully aligns with its commitments under regional and international human rights treaties.
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