by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently implement the recent ruling of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which declared aspects of Kano State’s blasphemy laws as violations of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, MRA urged the Government to act swiftly in complying with the Court’s April 9, 2025 judgment.
The ECOWAS court ruling held that certain blasphemy provisions in Kano State’s legal system are incompatible with guarantees under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which Nigeria has ratified.
The ECOWAS Court’s judgment, delivered unanimously by a three-member panel in a suit filed by Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, found that the blasphemy clauses in Kano State’s Penal Code and its Sharia Penal Code Law of 2000, as well as similar provisions in other jurisdictions, contravene core human rights protections, particularly the right to freedom of expression.
According to the Court, Nigeria, as a signatory to the African Charter and the ICCPR, is bound to ensure its domestic and state-level laws conform to the standards enshrined in those instruments.
The Court, therefore, ordered the Federal Government to take steps to either repeal or amend the offending provisions in Kano State and other States to bring them into line with international human rights norms.
Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Monday Arunsi, Acting Head of MRA’s Legal Department, stated that the Court’s reasoning was sound and aligned with globally accepted human rights standards.
He cited the Court’s observation that capital punishment should be reserved for the most severe crimes such as murder, terrorism, or genocide, offences involving tangible harm to victims, not for speech or expressions deemed disrespectful.
“The ECOWAS Court rightly noted that there are less extreme ways for States to manage concerns about public order or religious sensitivities without infringing on the right to freedom of expression. Nigeria must not cherry-pick which international obligations to observe. The ruling is legally binding and must be respected,” he added.
Mr. Arunsi emphasized that non-compliance with the Court’s decision would not only undermine the rule of law and regional justice mechanisms but would also tarnish Nigeria’s democratic image and commitment to human rights.
He further noted that the judgment affirms long-standing concerns raised by domestic and international human rights advocates about the incompatibility of some state-level laws, especially blasphemy provisions and their severe penalties, with Nigeria’s international obligations.
He pointed to the death penalty and long prison terms imposed in blasphemy cases as extreme and disproportionate.
Calling for immediate government action, Mr. Arunsi urged the Federal Government to lead by example in the West African sub-region by engaging with Kano State and other States with similar legal frameworks, and stressed the need for a coordinated review and reform of such laws to align them with Nigeria’s treaty obligations.
“This is an opportunity for Nigeria to reaffirm its leadership in the promotion of human rights by initiating meaningful legal reforms that uphold freedom of expression, while respecting religious diversity,” he stated.
MRA also called on key institutions, including the National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant agencies to contribute actively towards aligning Nigeria’s legal systems with its commitments under the African Charter and the ICCPR.
Mr. Arunsi maintained that, respect for international legal decisions is essential to safeguarding human rights, enhancing justice, and preserving Nigeria’s international credibility.