Kano Atheist, Mubarak Bala, Pleads Guilty To Blasphemy, Sentenced 24 years Imprisonment

Mubarak Bala, a Kano-born atheist, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to all 18 counts made against him, including incitement and disruption of the public peace.

Mr Bala, the president of the Nigerian Humanist Association, was detained on April 28, 2020, at his house in Kaduna and transported to Kano, where he was charged with blasphemy and incitement.

He has previously made anti-Islam, anti-Allah, and anti-Prophet Muhammad statements on Facebook, inciting Muslim fury.

There has been a push for his release or trial, with activists alleging that he is estranged from his wife and lawyer.

On Tuesday, Mr Bala pleaded guilty to all charges before Justice Farouk Lawan of Kano High Court 4, Audu Bako Secretariat.

Mr Bala refused to modify his earlier plea when the judge questioned if he was aware of the repercussions of his guilty plea.

Mr Bala’s lawyer, James Ibor, had previously attempted to persuade his client to amend his plea, but he refused.

The lawyer, on the other hand, attributed his client’s guilty plea to exasperation and anxiety, claiming that his client had been in prison for two years.

Mr Bala, though, who appeared unfazed, raised his hand and said that he was guilty as charged.

Mr Bala, in his leniency request, claimed that his social media posts were not intended to incite violence. As a result, he has committed not to make any more blasphemous posts.

Justice Lawan gave him a term of 24 years in jail when he handed down the sentence.