The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has formally challenged the blasphemy laws in Kano State following a recent verdict by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which declared certain provisions of these laws incompatible with international human rights standards.
In a statement issued on April 15, 2025, CAN expressed its support for the ECOWAS Court’s ruling and urged the Nigerian government to comply by amending or repealing the contested sections of Kano’s Penal and Sharia Penal Codes. The association emphasized that these laws infringe upon fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and religion, and called for their immediate review to align with Nigeria’s international obligations.
The ECOWAS Court had identified specific sections—Section 210 of the Kano State Penal Code and Section 382(b) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law (2000)—as violating Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The court’s decision has intensified debates on the balance between religious laws and human rights within Nigeria’s federal structure.
In response, the Kano State Government has rejected the ECOWAS Court’s ruling, asserting its constitutional right to enact laws that reflect the moral and religious values of its predominantly Muslim population. The state government maintains that its blasphemy laws are essential for preserving public order and religious sanctity, and has indicated no intention to amend them in light of the court’s decision.
This development underscores the ongoing tension between regional human rights mandates and local legal frameworks in Nigeria, particularly concerning issues of religious expression and freedom.
