A Christian mother of five has beaten charges of “blasphemy” after a two-and-a-half-year legal battle in Nigeria. A judge in northeast Nigeria has acquitted Rhoda Jatau, 47, of blasphemy fully of blasphemy charges. In a Dec. 19 press release, ADF International announced the victory. The state of Bauchi, where the case took place, practices a form of Sharia law under which blasphemy is punishable by execution.
Jatau was arrested on May 20, 2022, for posting a video to her co-workers that denounced the lynching of Nigerian Christian college student Deborah Emmanuel Yakabu. When her actions became known to the public a mob immediately formed calling for Jatau’s death. A Muslim group posted her photo online and called her “the one God has cursed.”
Yakabu was killed eight days before Jatau’s arrest. A mob of Islamist students dragged Yakabu from a safe room where she had been cowering, stoned her to death, and immolated her body. Her crime was supposedly committing blasphemy. The Christian student had posted on social media that Jesus had helped her pass her exams.
Riots erupted in which 15 Christians were seriously injured, and several buildings were burned down, according to Light Bearer News. “It’s outrageous,” her lawyers told CNA. “Rhoda was subjected to mob violence and attacks based on her peaceful expression, and now the Bauchi State government is trying to hold her responsible for the rioting of others.”
Her charges read “ Rhoda Jatau … posted a blasphemous video clip … to the WhatsApp Platform…with intent to disturb the public peace in which the content of the video is a blasphemy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. as a result of which the said blasphemous video clip incited disturbance and … led to the destruction of many shops and houses.”
Sean Nelson, legal counsel for ADF International, said “We are thankful to God for Rhoda’s full acquittal and an end to the ordeal she has endured for far too long.” He added, “We will continue to seek justice for Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria who are unjustly imprisoned and plagued by the draconian blasphemy laws.”
A local lawyer who works for the ADF and represented Jatau spoke on condition of anonymity. He said “After a two-and-a-half-year ordeal, including 19 long months in prison, we are happy that Rhoda finally has been acquitted of any wrongdoing. We thank all who have been praying for Rhoda, and we ask for your continued prayers as Nigerians continue to push back against persecution.”
Jatau spent 19 months in prison after her colleagues at the Primary Healthcare Board of the town of Warj reported. She was denied bail and was unable to speak with her friends or family. A local judge denied her attorney’s attempts to dismiss the charges, citing a lack of evidence. The case caused international backlash including a joint letter to the Nigerian government on Jatau’s behalf. The ADF was instrumental in bringing this case to the world stage. According to recent research, Nigeria is one of the least religious tolerant countries in the world.