Metro
‘It is wrong,’ UN blasts Nigerians for imprisoning boy,13, over blasphemous words
The UN children’s agency Unicef has expressed grave concern over the imprisonment of a 13-year-old boy convicted for blasphemy.
Recall that in August, a Sharia Court in Kano had sentenced Omar Farouq to 10-years- imprisonment with menial labour.
The sentencing “is wrong… it also negates all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria – and by implication, Kano State – has signed on to,” said Peter Hawkins, Unicef representative in Nigeria.
The sentence is in contravention of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria ratified in 1991, Unicef said in a statement.
Unicef called on the Nigerian federal and state authorities to urgently review the case with a view to reversing the sentence.
Several states in northern Nigeria introduced Sharia after the country returned to civilian rule in 1999.
READ ALSO: I lost my sense of judgement when she hugged me, says 67-year-old man who raped girl,12
The Sharia courts only try Muslims but if a case involves a Muslim and a non-Muslim, the non-Muslim will be given the option of choosing where he/she wants the case to be tried.
The Sharia court can only hear the case if the non-Muslim gives written consent.
-
News16 hours ago
EFCC: Abuja American School to refund Yahaya Bello’s $760k children’s fees
-
health20 hours ago
UK pledges £1b to support Nigeria’s fight against malaria
-
News16 hours ago
Nigerian woman breaks GWR for 55-hour marathon interview
-
Entertainment15 hours ago
Tems samples Seyi Sodimu’s classic ‘Love Me Jeje’
-
News20 hours ago
Tinubu mourns Enugu senator Ayogu Eze
-
Metro20 hours ago
Police foil kidnapping attempt, rescue three victims in Bauchi
-
News13 hours ago
Pathologist interprets MohBad’s toxicology result
-
News21 hours ago
Anambra lawmaker raises alarm over cult-related deaths in Awka