The president of the Nigerian Humanist Society, Mubarak Bala, was released from prison in Kano State on 7 January.

Mr Bala was arrested at his home in Kaduna State on 28 April 2020 following a petition to the Kano State Police Commissioner by a law firm in Kano State, accusing him of insulting Islam in Facebook posts. He was held incommunicado for the first 162 days, and spent 462 days in prison before being formally charged.

On 5 April 2022, Mr Bala was convicted on 18 counts of causing a public disturbance under Sections 210 and 114 of the Kano State Penal Code and sentenced to 24 years in prison by a High Court in Kano State. However, on 13 May 2024 an appeal court in Kano State ruled that the sentence was excessive and in contravention of the law, and reduced it from 24 years to five.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW welcomes the release of Mubarak Bala. We reiterate that his arrest and conviction violated Nigeria’s constitution and its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with regard to the freedoms of expression, thought, conscience, and belief. We now call on the Nigerian authorities to ensure Mr Bala’s safety, and that he is able to enjoy his freedom without further harassment. We also continue to encourage Nigeria to repeal the blasphemy law, which remains a dangerous driver of religious extremism, and to bring state laws and practices into conformity with the country’s constitutional and international obligations.’