19 Months After Bauchi Woman Released For Blasphemy

Rhoda Jatau, a Bauchi lady who denounced the purported execution of Samuel Deborah in Sokoto State, has at last been liberated from an almost two-year prison sentence for blasphemy in Bauchi state.

Following an intervention by family members, religious organizations, and civil society organizations, she was granted bail on Friday and was reunited with her family.

Her husband, who has declined to comment on the matter and has temporarily barred media from seeing her, has verified her bond.

It was learned that Justice Fatima Jibrin of a high court in Bauchi heard her bail application, which was submitted by her attorney, Joseph Danboyi, and approved it.

According to sources, as soon as she was released, Rhoda left Bauchi for Gombe State.

International rights group, Peace Building and Social Justice, posted on its X platform, saying, “Jatau has been held in prison for 19 months for condemning the murder of a young schoolgirl Deborah Samuel over alleged blasphemy. She is a Christian and a mother of five.”

The group also indicated that “Rhoda’s next hearing is still scheduled for the 19th of December 2023, we need to raise our voices and demand her unconditional release.”

Just before her release, the Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development, Bauchi, stated in a statement that Jatau was picked up on 20th of May, 2022 at her residence by the Nigerian Police Force on the allegations of alleged incitement and inciting public disturbance.

According to CITAD she was denied bail on several occasions.  “The Police action was based on their perception of what her message could do. However, immediately after sharing the post, she was arrested and taken into custody.

“Her bail was consistently denied, and she has been held behind bars ever since. This is not just an injustice to Rhoda; it is an attack on the digital rights of every citizen in this country,” it stated.