Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauds the December 19 decision of a court in Bauchi State, Nigeria, to acquit Christian nurse Rhoda Jatau. On May 20, 2022, officials arrested her on allegations of blasphemy after she reportedly shared a message on social media condemning the murder of Christian student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu.
“USCIRF welcomes the full acquittal of Rhoda Jatau, although she should never have been subjected to this prosecution in the first place. The government detained her for well over a year for simply expressing her opinion,” said USCIRF Commissioner Maureen Ferguson.
"Criminal blasphemy laws represent a grave threat to religious freedom and should be repealed wherever they exist, including in Nigeria. All Nigerians should have the right to express their religious beliefs or their lack of belief without fear of arrest or persecution,” said USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi.
Five other Nigerians remain imprisoned on blasphemy charges including humanist Mubarak Bala, and Muslims Yahaya Sharif–Aminu, Isma’ila Sani Isah, Sheikh Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, and Abdulazeez Inyass. In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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