Falana drags Kano State to African human rights commission over death sentence

Recall that Sharif was earlier sentenced to death by a Sharia court in
Kano for blasphemy against the Prophet, and Mr. Falana is currently
handling the appeal of the verdict.

Falana in a petition dated 8th of September and addressed to the
commission said his client does not trust the Nigerian government to
give his client a fair hearing.

He accused the Legal aid council of failing to assign a lawyer to his
client during the trial at the lower court.

“An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and
death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit
that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to
face imminent execution by hanging, ” the petition reads in part.

He also alleged that in Nigeria, “there is a growing crackdown on
human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful
assembly, and attack on the rule of law.”