Friends of humanist, Mubarak Bala, who is currently serving a 24-year jail term at a Kano prison have written an open letter to Kano state’s governor-elect,  Abba Kabir Yusuf, requesting a full pardon for the activist. 

Mr Bala was jailed in 2022  after he was arrested and charged with blasphemy and religious contempt. He did not contest the allegations at arraignment. 

In the letter signed by his associates, Omole Ibukun, Elubeku Adisa, Marvelous Alemonu, Freeman Isah Rabiu, and others, the group disclosed that Mr Bala had pleaded guilty to the allegations because his wife and child were threatened. 

“We understand that after pleading guilty to all 24 charges and requesting leniency, Mubarak was given a sentence of 24 years in jail by a secular high court in Kano State on April 5, 2022. We have it on good authority that Mr. Mubarak Bala pleaded guilty because he had been threatened with the safety of his young family – his wife and his baby boy,” he said. 

The group said the appeal is in line with the principles of the governor-elect’s party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) which is a strong advocate for respect of all beliefs. 

“We believe that the continued detention of Mr. Bala is a grave injustice that not only violates his rights but also undermines the rule of law and the principles of democracy that we all hold dear. It sends a chilling message to the people of Kano State and all Nigerians that their rights are not respected or protected by the government, and that they are not free to express their beliefs without fear of persecution.

“We are also writing you because we are aware that Abba Gida-Gida is known to be a respecter of everybody’s beliefs according to the tenets of your party, NNPP. This is why we appeal to your sense of justice and love for your belief, to see it free from all forms of extremism and oppression. We ask that you do this for the common good of Kano State, the cause of human rights, and the Islamic Faith,” the letter added.