Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Federal Government has been urged to urgently implement and fully enforce the landmark judgment delivered by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on April 9, 2025, which declared aspects of Kano State’s blasphemy laws as violations of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which made the call, said compliance with the ruling was essential to upholding the rule of law and maintaining Nigeria’s reputation as a democratic nation committed to fundamental rights.
The ECOWAS Court, in a unanimous decision by a panel of three judges in a suit filed by the Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, held that the blasphemy provisions in the Kano State Penal Code, the Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000, and similar laws in other states breach key human rights protections—particularly the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The Court ordered the Federal Government to ensure the repeal or amendment of such laws across all relevant jurisdictions, emphasizing that Nigeria, as a State Party to both the African Charter and the ICCPR, is bound to align its domestic laws with these international instruments.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Acting Head of Legal Department, Mr. Monday Arunsi, warned that failure to implement the judgment would not only undermine the rule of law and weaken the regional human rights system, but also damage Nigeria’s standing as a democracy.
Quoting the Court’s decision, Arunsi said: “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 for speech or expressions deemed disrespectful. The Court is of the opinion that there are less restrictive ways for the state to address issues related to religious sensitivities and public peace.”
Arunsi stressed that Nigeria cannot selectively uphold its international obligations, saying: “The ECOWAS Court’s ruling is binding. The Federal Government has both a legal and moral duty to comply, and to ensure that all federal and state laws conform with regional and international human rights standards, particularly the rights enshrined in the African Charter and the ICCPR, which Nigeria has ratified. Compliance is not optional.”
He added that the judgment reinforces longstanding concerns by human rights advocates—both within and outside Nigeria—regarding the incompatibility of blasphemy laws and related harsh penalties, including the death sentence, with global human rights norms.
Calling for urgent action, Arunsi urged the Federal Government to engage with the Kano State Government and other states with similar laws to initiate a comprehensive legislative review and reform.
“These reforms should aim to amend or repeal all provisions that infringe on freedom of expression, while upholding the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion,” he said. “Respect for the rule of law and decisions of international courts is crucial to protecting human rights, promoting justice, and preserving Nigeria’s credibility in the global arena.”
He further called on the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant institutions to play their part in ensuring Nigeria’s legal framework aligns with its obligations under regional and international treaties.
