Sharia Court Sentenced A Nigeria Singer To Death In Kano

 

  

 Source: BBC News African 

A musician in Nigerian' northern state of Kano has been sentenced to death by hanging for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. 

An upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state said Yahaya Sharif Aminu, 22, was guilty of blasphemy for a song he circulated via whatsapp in March. 

Mr. Sharif Aminu did not deny the charges. 

States across Muslim-majority northern Nigeria practices both secular law and Sharia law which does not apply to non-muslim states. 

However, only one of the death sentences passed by a Nigeria's sharia court has been executed since they were reintroduced in 1999.

Judge Khadi Aliyu Muhammad Kani said Mr Aminu could appeal to the verdict. 

The singer who is currently in detention had gone into hiding after composing the song. Protesters had burnt down his family home and gathered outside the headquarters of the Islamic police called the Hisbah, demanding action against Mr Aminu. 

  

    The leader of the protesters "Idris Ibrahim addressing the angry Muslim faithful 

Critics said the song was blasphemous as it praises an imam from the Tijjaniya Muslim Brotherhood to the climax that he elevated him above the Prophet Muhammad.  

Who is Yahaya Sharif Aminu? 

Mr Aminu is an Islamic gospel musician, he is not popular in northern Nigeria and his songs were not recognized outside his Tijjaniya sect. 

Several sentences have been passed including for women convicted of having extramarital sex crimes which had caused widespread condemnation in the region. But only one has been executed. A man convicted of killing a woman and her two children who was hanged in 2002.