Blasphemy: Ebenezer Obey, others urge Ganduje not to sign Kano singer’s death warrant

Ebenezer Obey‌

Music executive and manager of Tuface Idibia, Efe Omorogbe, has taken to his Instagram to appeal to the Governor of Kano State, Abdulahi Ganduje, against executing singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.

The singer, Sharif-Aminu, was accused of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Mohammed and was subsequently sentenced to death under the Sharia laws in Kano state.

Pleading on the singer’s behalf, Omorogbe posted a statement on his social media page on behalf of the group, The Nigerian Music Industry Collective.

The Nigerian Music Industry Collective consists of legendary singer, Ebenezer Obey; and other heavyweights in the music industry like Audu Maikori, President of Chocolate City record label; Obi Asika, Dare Fasasi among others.

Omorogbe appealed to the governor to use his ‘good office to influence the implementation of the rule of law, which has obviously been disregarded in this case.’

He wrote, “The Executive Governor of Kano State

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje (OFR)

RE: THE SENTENCING OF YAHAYA SHARIF-AMINU

We write to express our concern regarding the sentencing of a young Nigerian Musician; Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was recently accused of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Mohammed and was subsequently sentenced to death under the Sharia laws in Kano state.

Your Excellency sir, we have been informed that Yahaya has been scheduled to be executed in less than a week’s time, and we will like to appeal to you to use your good office to influence the implementation of the rule of law, which has obviously been disregarded in this case.

Yahaya Sharif-Aminu is protected under the law which gives him freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and protecting freedom of expression. We, as leaders of the Nigerian music and entertainment industry, are absolutely against this attempt to gag free thinking and expression and ask that justice is served by the overruling of this sentence and the dropping of all charges against him. We ask that you use your good offices to stop this act and release him from this unfair act.

We trust that your good reasoning and your utmost respect for the Rule of Law will prevail in this case.

Yours sincerely.

For: The Nigerian Music Industry Collective.”

PUNCH