Javascript Tabs Menu by Deluxe-Tabs.com

Worthy Christian News » Nigeria Releases Jailed Christian

Worthy News - Your Daily Christian News Service

Nigeria Releases Jailed Christian

Thursday, February 26, 2009 (8:17 am)
By Eric Leijenaar, Worthy News Senior Special Correspondent

thumb_muslimveil220107_228x3222

Nigerians Christians are often subject to Islamic law.



ABUJA, NIGERIA (Worthy News)-- A Nigerian Christian who was serving a three-year prison sentence since May 2008 on charges of “blasphemy” against Islam has been released, Worthy News learned Thursday, February 26.

"His attorney could prove that 55-year-old Sani Kibili was innocent and that mistakes were made during the trial," said Netherlands-based advocacy group Open Doors which paid for his legal costs.

Open Doors told Worthy News in a statement that it had hired a lawyer after his family members and church were told that the "punishment could not be repealed."

The troubles reportedly began in October 2007 the Christian was almost killed after three Muslim men accused him of being an “infidel”.  Kibili apparently denied the accusations, saying he was a Christian. His statement raised the anger of the men who said he was responsible for making "blasphemous" remarks about the prophet Mohammad, Open Doors said.

"Soon a riot started and only other Muslims prevented the radical Muslims of killing him," the group added. Yet, two days later Kibili was detained and after a short trial sentenced to a prison term, despite doubts about the police investigation, Open Doors said. "Reports of interrogations were wrong and the attorney even suggested that there was a plot against Kibili.”

In addition the court apparently ruled according to Muslim law, or Sharia, which has been imposed in several areas of the country, Open Doors said. “Christians are officially allowed to choose the court where they want to be judged, but that option was never given to Kibili." Amid international pressure, a court eventually released him "due to a lack of evidence," Open Doors said.

However "he was over 300 days in prison and experienced a lot of hostility there," it added. Open Doors said it started a campaign to encourage the Christian. Hundreds of Christians in the Netherlands send postcard to him in recent months, the group explained.

News of his release comes amid mounting tensions in Nigeria. In recent days, at least 11 people were killed in fresh inter-religious violence in the town of Bauchi. Several churches and mosques were destroyed and security forces imposed curfews in several areas of the city.

Thousands of people have been displaced, Open Doors told Worthy News and its partner news agency BosNewsLife earlier. The group said it was sending teams to investigate the situation and to support victims.
  • Share/Bookmark

Copyright 2009 Worthy News. All rights reserved.

Print this article

This is an open forum. Any opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Worthy News, or its parent ministry Worthy Ministries.

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

Search Worthy News

Make Us Your Home Page

Change Font Size

* Increase  * Decrease
24/7 News Section of Worthy News

Worthy News Syndication

We've launched our new syndication service. Click here to find out more information!

Total Number of websites using our FREE syndication service: 278!

Our Christian Community

Enter Worthy Christian Forums
Your Account Username

Your Account Password



Register Now!
Enter Worthy Chat
Your Account Username

Your Account Password



Register Now!
Enter Worthy Prayer Team
Your Account Username

Your Account Password



Register Now!
Enter Worthy Email
Your Email Username

Your Account Password



Sign up for a free Worthy Email account

Forgot Your Password?
Do you want to add Prayer to your site?

Get our FREE Toolbar!
Search Google!
Stay up to date with Worthy News!
Listen to Christian Radio!
Check your local weather in an instant!
Be alerted whenever you get new Email!
Privacy Protection & PopUp Blocker!
Customize it and add nifty Gadgets!
and soo much more!

Help others find Worthy News! Use this code to link to Worthy News on your web page:

<a href="http://www.worthynews.com" title="Christian News Service">Christian News Service - Worthy News</a>


Copyright 1999-2010 Christian News Service - Worthy News - Daily Christian Magazine