In a victory for religious freedom, a Nigerian Christian mother of five, Rhoda Jatau, has been fully acquitted of blasphemy charges after spending 19 grueling months behind bars. Jatau's ordeal began in May 2022 following her alleged sharing of a video in a WhatsApp group. The video reportedly denounced the tragic killing of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a Christian college student stoned to death by her Muslim classmates. This act led to mob violence against Jatau's community and her subsequent arrest under Bauchi State Penal Code sections related to public disturbance and religious insult.

During her imprisonment, Jatau endured isolation, permitted visits only from her legal counsel. She spoke of the hardship of separation from her children, emphasizing the emotional toll of her confinement.

(ADF International)

ADF International, the organization that provided legal support for Jatau, confirmed her acquittal by a Bauchi State judge. They hailed the decision as a significant win for religious freedom, highlighting the injustice of punishing peaceful expression. Sean Nelson, legal counsel for ADF International, expressed gratitude for Jatau's release while emphasizing that the arrest itself should never have occurred. He reaffirmed ADF's commitment to defending the rights of Christians and other religious minorities facing persecution in Nigeria, particularly those targeted under blasphemy laws.

Jatau's lead counsel, an anonymous ADF International allied lawyer in Nigeria, also celebrated the acquittal, acknowledging the lengthy ordeal and thanking those who offered prayers and support. The lawyer urged continued prayer as Nigerians strive against ongoing persecution.

Rhoda Jatau, a Christian and mother of five, was jailed on charges of blasphemy for condemning the lynching of a Christian Nigerian university student. (ADF International)

Jatau's case garnered international attention from human rights and religious freedom organizations, who condemned the inherent dangers and injustice of blasphemy laws. Bauchi state, where the incident unfolded, is predominantly Muslim and one of twelve northern Nigerian states that have implemented Sharia Law. ADF International has labeled Nigeria as the most perilous nation for Christians globally, citing statistics indicating more Christians are killed there than in any other country combined. Reports suggest thousands of Christians were deliberately targeted and killed in Nigeria last year, with a particularly horrific incident involving the massacre of approximately 200 Christians by jihadists in Plateau, Nigeria, highlighting the ongoing violence.