Skip to content
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2548(RSP))

On Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

B-10-2025-0104

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This resolution calls on Nigerian authorities to release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy, and to ensure his proper treatment in custody. It urges Nigeria to repeal blasphemy laws, impose a moratorium on executions, and investigate mob violence against those accused of blasphemy. It also calls on the European Commission and member states to raise the case with Nigerian authorities and support dialogue and legal aid.

Key points

  1. Calls on Nigerian authorities to promptly and unconditionally release Yahaya Sharif-Aminu and withdraw the appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision overturning his conviction.
  2. Calls on Nigerian authorities to ensure Sharif-Aminu's appropriate treatment in custody and allow regular access to his family and lawyer.
  3. Urges the government of Nigeria to repeal penal laws imposing punishments for blasphemy, including the death penalty, as inconsistent with Nigeria's constitution and international human rights standards.
  4. Condemns violent mobs harassing and killing people accused of blasphemy and calls for prompt investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.
  5. Calls on the government of Nigeria to declare an immediate moratorium on all executions nationwide and commute all death sentences into life sentences pending abolition.
  6. Calls on the European Commission and member states to raise Sharif-Aminu's case and human rights concerns with Nigerian authorities and ensure diplomatic observation of legal proceedings at the Supreme Court.
  7. Calls on the European Commission and the EEAS to support intercultural and interfaith dialogue in Nigeria and provide legal assistance in human rights cases through development cooperation and political dialogue.

Who is affected

  • Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian singer sentenced to death for blasphemy, currently in prison and on appeal.
  • Nigerian authorities, including Kano and Kaduna State authorities, are called upon to act on release, treatment, and legal reforms.
  • The government of Nigeria is urged to repeal blasphemy laws and impose a moratorium on executions.
  • The European Commission and member states are asked to raise the case and support dialogue and legal aid.