In a recent development that has drawn international attention, Rhoda Jatau, a Christian healthcare worker from northern Nigeria has been denied her request to have the charges against her dismissed by court.
The High Court in Bauchi State ruled on November 27 that Jatau must answer the charges, which include inciting public disturbance, exciting contempt of religious creed, and cyber stalking.
Jatau has been in custody since May 20, 2022, following accusations of blasphemy related to a video she allegedly shared condemning the lynching of a Christian college student, Deborah Yakubu, in Sokoto.
The charges against her have been described as the civil equivalent of blasphemy under Islamic Shari’a law.
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The court’s decision has been met with disappointment from Jatau’s legal team and supporters, including human rights advocate Solomon Mwantiri.
The ruling also comes as a blow to Jatau’s family, who have been living in hiding since her arrest for their own safety.
The case has drawn the attention of UN experts, who in October expressed concern to the Nigerian government about Jatau’s arrest and detention.
They highlighted that Jatau was merely exercising her right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
The experts also noted that Jatau has been repeatedly denied bail and has had only intermittent access to legal counsel since her arrest.