A music artist in Nigeria’s northern state of Kano has been sentenced to death by hanging for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad.
The 22-year old musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, was found guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March, by an upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state,.
Yahaya Sharif-Aminu did not deny the charges.
Judge Khadi Aliyu Muhammad Kani said he could appeal against the verdict.
The singer who is currently in detention, had gone into hiding after he composed the song.
Protesters had burnt down his family home and gathered outside the headquarters of the Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, demanding action against him.
Critics said the song was blasphemous as it praised an imam from the Tijaniya Muslim brotherhood to the extent it elevated him above the Prophet Muhammad.
Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, Bashir Ahmed, has also backed up the protesters, calling for the head of the music artist.
The leader of the protesters that called for the musician’s arrest in March, Idris Ibrahim, told the newsmen when he heard about the judgement, he was elated citing that his movement protest wasn’t in vain.
He also said that, “the judgement will serve as a warning to others, contemplating toeing Yahaya’s path,
This will serve as a deterrent to others who feel they could insult our religion or prophet and go scot-free”.
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