Nigerian Atheist Freed from Prison but Fears for His Life
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Loading... - Philip Udofot
- 09 Jan 2025
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Mubarak Bala, a prominent Nigerian atheist, has been released after serving over four years in prison for blasphemy. Following his release, he is now living in a safe house due to concerns for his safety, as his legal team fears that his life may be in danger.
Bala, 40, was convicted in a Kano court after pleading guilty to 18 charges related to a controversial Facebook post he shared in 2020. His decision to plead guilty surprised many, including his legal team, but Bala explained that it was a strategic move to relieve the pressure on those who supported him, including his lawyers, friends, and family. He stated, “I believe what I did saved not only my life, but people in Kano, especially those that were attached to my case, because they are also a target.”
Nigeria is a deeply religious country where blasphemy is considered a serious offense under both Islamic law (Sharia) and Nigeria's criminal law. Bala, who renounced Islam in 2014, expressed that during his incarceration, he often feared for his life, particularly in the first prison he was held in, located in a predominantly Muslim city.
Upon his release, Bala described his feelings of freedom mixed with an underlying threat. "Freedom is here, but also there is an underlying threat I now have to face," he said. He acknowledged that the threats he faced during his imprisonment might still exist.
Bala was initially sentenced to 24 years in prison, but an appeals court judge deemed the sentence "excessive" and reduced it, allowing for his release. Walking out of the prison in Abuja, he appeared tired yet cheerful, dressed in a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and flip-flops, and expressed his astonishment at the changes around him, saying, “Everything is new to me. Everything is new.”
Bala's conviction drew widespread condemnation from international rights groups and sparked a significant debate about freedom of speech in Nigeria. His detention sent shockwaves through Nigeria's small atheist and humanist communities, and while his release has brought relief, concerns remain about his safety and the implications of his case.
Leo Igwe, the founder of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, expressed mixed feelings about Bala's release. He stated, “Thanks, that he's out, thanks that he's a free man. But no thanks, because there is a dent on him as if he committed a crime. For us at the Humanist Association, he committed no crime.”
As Bala adjusts to life outside prison, he is eager to reconnect with his young son, who was just six weeks old when he was imprisoned. Despite the risks associated with his activism, Bala has no regrets about his decision to speak out. “My activism, my posting on social media, I always knew the worst would happen. When I made the decision to come out, I knew I could be killed. I knew the dangers, and I still decided to do it,” he affirmed.
Bala's story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals advocating for freedom of expression and the rights of atheists in Nigeria, a country where religious sentiments can lead to severe repercussions. His release is a significant moment for human rights advocates, but the threats he faces underscore the precarious situation for those who challenge societal norms.
