A distinguished Nigerian atheist, who has simply been freed after serving greater than 4 years in jail for blasphemy, is now residing in a secure home as his authorized group concern his life could also be in peril.
Mubarak Bala, 40, was convicted in a courtroom within the northern metropolis of Kano after, in a shock transfer, he pleaded responsible to 18 costs regarding a controversial Fb publish shared in 2020.
“The priority about my security is at all times there,” he informed the BBC in an unique interview as he tucked into his first meal as a free man.
Nigeria is a deeply non secular society and people who could also be seen as having insulted a faith – whether or not Islam or Christianity – face being shunned and discriminated towards.
Blasphemy is an offence underneath Islamic legislation – Sharia – which operates alongside secular legislation in 12 states within the north. Additionally it is an offence underneath Nigeria’s prison legislation.
Bala, who renounced Islam in 2014, mentioned there have been occasions throughout his incarceration that he felt he “could not get out alive”. He feared he may have been focused by guards or fellow inmates within the first jail he was in, in Kano, which is a primarily Muslim metropolis.
“Freedom is right here, but additionally there’s an underlying menace I now should face,” he mentioned. “All these years, these threats, perhaps they’re on the market.”
He may have been inside for for much longer if it was not for an appeals courtroom choose who diminished the preliminary 24-year sentence final yr, describing it as “extreme”.
Strolling out of the jail within the capital, Abuja, Bala appeared drained, however cheerful wearing a white T-shirt, khaki shorts and flip-flops. He emerged together with his beaming lawyer by his facet.
“Every thing is new to me. Every thing is new,” he mentioned as he took in his new-found liberty.
Bala, an outspoken non secular critic, was arrested after a bunch of legal professionals filed a criticism with the police in regards to the social media publish.
He then spent two years in jail awaiting trial earlier than being convicted in 2022.
On the time Bala’s responsible plea baffled many, even his authorized group, however he stands by his resolution, saying that it relieved the stress on those that stood by him, together with his legal professionals, family and friends.
“I consider what I did saved not solely my life, however folks in Kano,” he mentioned.
“Particularly people who had been hooked up to my case, as a result of they’re additionally a goal.”
His conviction was broadly condemned by worldwide rights teams and sparked a debate about freedom of speech in Nigeria.
His detention additionally despatched shockwaves throughout Nigeria’s small atheist and humanist communities, and his launch has come as a reduction to many, however there are nonetheless issues.
“It is thanks and no thanks,” mentioned Leo Igwe, the founding father of the Humanist Affiliation of Nigeria.
“Thanks, that he is out, thanks that he is a free man. However no thanks, as a result of there’s a dent on him as if he dedicated against the law. For us on the Humanist Affiliation, he dedicated no crime.”
As for Bala, he’s eager to atone for misplaced time – together with attending to know his younger son who was simply six weeks previous when he was imprisoned. However he mentioned he had no regrets.
“My activism, my posting on social media, I at all times knew the worst would occur, After I made the choice to return out, I knew I could possibly be killed. I knew the hazards, and I nonetheless determined to do it.”
Extra Nigeria tales from the BBC:
[Getty Images/BBC]
Go to BBCAfrica.com for extra information from the African continent.
Comply with us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Fb at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
