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Kano Rejects ECOWAS Court Verdict, Insists Blasphemy Laws Here To Stay
We will not be deterred by external pressures. Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society, which are grounded in religious and moral beliefs.
Kano State – The Kano State Government has firmly rejected a ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice challenging the legality of its blasphemy laws, insisting it will not bow to international pressure and will continue to uphold laws that protect the religious values of its majority-Muslim population.
In a statement on Wednesday, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said the state government is constitutionally empowered to enact laws that reflect the social, moral, and religious values of its people.
“We will not be deterred by external pressures. Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society, which are grounded in religious and moral beliefs,” said Waiya.
“While we respect international opinions, our laws are a reflection of our people’s will.”
The ECOWAS Court of Justice had ruled that aspects of Kano’s blasphemy laws violated international human rights standards, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and religion.
The judgment follows increasing international scrutiny over the sentencing of individuals — including minors — under Kano’s Sharia-based legal system.
However, Kano insists its legal framework is within the bounds of Nigeria’s federal system, which allows states to legislate on criminal matters, especially when they reflect local cultural and religious contexts.
“The people of Kano have entrusted us with the responsibility to maintain peace and protect their religious values. These laws are central to that mission, and they will remain firmly in place,” Waiya said.
He stated that the blasphemy laws are not an anomaly but a legitimate reflection of Nigeria’s legal pluralism. Under the Nigerian constitution, states are allowed to make laws on the Concurrent Legislative List, which includes criminal justice matters.
“We fully respect the court’s authority,” Waiya added, “but the laws that govern our state must reflect the unique moral and religious fabric of our people. The sanctity of our religious beliefs cannot be compromised.”
