Alleged Blasphemy: Rhoda Jatau regains freedom

Healthcare worker Rhoda Jatau has been released 18 months after she was detained for condemning the lynching of a student Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State.

Mrs Jatau, a mother of five, was arrested by the Department of State Security on May 20, 2022 after she shared a video that condemned the lynching of Ms Samuel, a Christian college student in Sokoto accused of blasphemy against Islam and set ablaze in daylight on May 12, 2022 by a mob at Shehu Shagari College of Education.

PUNCH reports that a source who pleaded anonymity confirmed that Jatau was released on bail on Friday following interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria.

The source, however, did not reveal bail conditions or which court had granted Jatau bail, but noted that the Inter-Religious Council had played “a key role” in securing her bail and release.

“We are pleased to report that Mrs Rhoda has been granted bail and subsequently released from detention today. We have high hopes that the case will end in praise,” the source was quoted as saying.