The Kano State Government has declared that it will not repeal or amend its blasphemy laws, telling the ECOWAS Court of Justice that the legislation reflects the moral and religious values of its people. In a firm stance, the government argued that the laws are consistent with the constitutional rights granted to states under Nigeria’s federal structure, particularly regarding matters of religion and public morality.
The statement comes in response to a case brought before the regional court by human rights organizations, which argue that blasphemy laws violate international human rights standards, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion. The case specifically references the controversial sentencing of individuals, including minors, for alleged blasphemy in the state’s Sharia courts.
Kano’s legal team, however, maintained that the blasphemy laws serve a legitimate purpose in preserving public order and preventing religious unrest in a state where Islamic principles strongly influence the legal and social systems. They further contended that the ECOWAS Court lacks jurisdiction to interfere in what they describe as a culturally grounded legal framework.
The case has reignited national and international debate about the compatibility of Nigeria’s plural legal system — which includes English common law, Sharia, and customary law — with its obligations under regional and global human rights treaties. The ECOWAS Court is expected to continue hearing arguments from both sides in the coming months.
