A Christian man in northern Nigeria has had his conviction for kidnapping two women overturned after an appeal to a Nigerian High Court. The man, identified as David (not real name), was initially sentenced to nine years in prison for the alleged crime. However, it was revealed that he had been helping the women escape religious persecution rather than abducting them, as the original conviction suggested.
David, a Christian leader, became the target of local authorities after he assisted two women who had recently converted to Christianity.
Following their conversion, both women received death threats from their families and communities. In a bid to protect them, David helped them relocate to a safer area.
Unfortunately, after their relocation, David and a fellow church leader were captured by Islamist militants. The two men were held hostage for three weeks, during which they endured severe torture. They were eventually handed over to the police, where David was charged with kidnapping, among other offenses. His trial, described by legal advocates as “a sham,” was conducted without legal representation. Despite the lack of a fair defense, David was convicted and fined.
ADF International, a legal group specializing in religious freedom, took on David’s case. With their assistance, David was released on bail and filed an appeal. Last month, the Nigerian High Court ruled in his favor, quashing the conviction and ordering that the fine he had paid be returned. Notably, no state representative appeared in court to defend the conviction.
This case highlights the growing concern over religious freedoms in northern Nigeria, a region that, despite its Christian majority, faces increasing challenges due to its large Muslim population. In 2022 alone, approximately 5,000 Christians were killed in the country, a figure that surpassed the number of Christian deaths in all other nations combined.
Sean Nelson, the legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, emphasized the broader implications of David’s case. “This case is a powerful reminder of the urgent crisis facing Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria,” Nelson said. “David was tortured, prosecuted, and imprisoned simply for helping a woman escape violence because of her faith.”
Nelson expressed hope that this case would be a turning point and that no one else would have to endure such an ordeal. He also called for stronger protections for religious freedom, particularly in northern Nigeria, where Christians continue to face persecution.
