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Nigerians are Standing Against the 10-Year Prison Sentence of 13-year-old Omar Farouq by the Sharia Court
You must have seen the news of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, the 22-year-old studio assistant who was sentenced to death for blaspheming Prophet Mohammed, by the Sharia court in Kano state. He wasn’t alone, but no one was talking about the underaged boy sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with menial labour for blasphemy.
Omar Farouq, is a 13-year-old boy, (a minor in the eyes of the law).
His counsel, Kola Alapinni, who filed an appeal on his behalf on September 7, said his punishment is in violation of the African Charter of the Rights and Welfare of a Child and the Nigerian constitution.
On Monday, 7th September 2020 we on behalf of the Foundation for Religious Freedom (FRF) successfully filed an appeal with number K/40CA/2020 on behalf of Omar Farouq at the Kano State High Court.
Omar Farouq is a 13 year old boy (A minor in the eyes of the Law) sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with menial labour for blasphemy. In the same Sharia court in Filin Hockey, Kano, Nigeria. By the same judge that sentenced Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. Both boys were convicted.
Both boys were convicted the same day. This is a violation of the African Charter of the Rights And Welfare of a Child. A violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Kano State Government will have their day in court.
Re: Omar Farouq
On Monday, 7th September 2020 we on behalf of the Foundation for Religious Freedom (FRF) successfully filed an appeal with number K/40CA/2020 on behalf of Omar Farouq at the Kano State High Court.@UNHumanRights @NigBarAssoc @ChidiOdinkalu @OlumideAkpata— Kola Alapinni (@FelaLives) September 9, 2020
Both boys were convicted the same day.
This is a violation of the African Charter of the Rights And Welfare of a Child. A violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Kano State Government will have their day in court. #sharia @Uni_EssexAlumni @EssexHRC— Kola Alapinni (@FelaLives) September 9, 2020
The Child rights agency UNICEF has condemned the sentencing. Peter Hawkins, the UNICEF representative in Nigeria said the 10yrs in prison sentence with menial labour is wrong and negates all core underlying principles of Child Rights and child justice signed by Nigeria.
The sentencing of this child, 13-year-old Omar Farouk, to 10 years in prison with menial labour is wrong. It also negates all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria, and by implication, Kano State, has signed on to.
This case further underlines the urgent need to accelerate the enactment of the Kano State Child Protection Bill so as to ensure that all children under 18, including Omar Farouq are protected, and that all children in Kano are treated in accordance with child rights standards.
This is what Nigerians have to say:
ISLAM
A 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for blasphemy in Nigeria. Omar Farouq was convicted in a Sharia Court after he was accused of using foul language toward Allah in an argument with a friend. pic.twitter.com/dKU6gYTCYI— Jim Slater ?? (@jimslateruk) September 17, 2020
A child, at 13, sentenced to 10 years prison labor, for "blasphemy", that IS blasphemy… against humanity.
— b9AcE ? (@b9AcE) September 16, 2020
God sake! His offence: Omar Farouq was convicted in a Sharia court in Kano State in northwest Nigeria after he was accused of using foul language toward Allah in an argument with a friend. A state Governor caught stealing public money.
— Just Ella (@JustSociety4all) September 16, 2020
Omar Farouq 13 years old has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Sharia court in Kano Nigeria for blaspheming during an argument against Allah.
The same court sentenced another youth to death for blaspheming against Mohammed.
Blasphemy is a thing on 21st C Earth ?
— ɐnɓnqW ɐʍ ǝɥʇǝɓuɐꓘ ??™ (@Kangethe_Mb) September 16, 2020
This morning, I just learned that 13-year old Omar Farouq has been sentenced to 10 year’s imprisonment for Blasphemy in Kano https://t.co/XL4L5xWvx9.
— Nana | Tweets are personal views only (@MTechLaw) September 17, 2020
@GovUmarGanduje Omar Farouq is 13! Are you going to allow this despicable act to happen ? You are his Governor too! He needs you! https://t.co/k2nSLbLG5B
— Ajagajigi not Ajigijaga (@Otun09) September 16, 2020
