KANO REJECTS ECOWAS COURT RULING, INSISTS ON ENFORCING BLASPHEMY LAWS
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The Kano State Government has stood firm in defense of its blasphemy laws, rejecting a ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice that deemed parts of the laws incompatible with international human rights principles.
Responding to the verdict, which has ignited widespread debate, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, stated in a release sighted by our correspondent that Kano is resolute in its position.
He emphasized the state’s constitutional mandate to safeguard the religious values and beliefs of its largely Muslim population.
He said, “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. While we respect international opinions, our laws are a reflection of our people’s will.
“The Kano government’s defencee is rooted in Nigeria’s federal system, where states retain the right to enact laws reflecting local social, moral, 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.”
While acknowledging the ECOWAS Court’s judgment, Waiya reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the protection of religious sanctity and public order.
“We fully respect the court’s authority, but the laws that govern our state must reflect the unique moral and religious fabric of our people,” said Waiya.
The state argues that its blasphemy laws are not an aberration but a recognition of Nigeria’s legal pluralism — where state legislatures are empowered to legislate on matters within the Concurrent Legislative List, including criminal law.
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