The Kano State Government has maintained its stance on enforcing blasphemy laws, despite a recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which found aspects of those laws inconsistent with international human rights norms.
The ECOWAS court’s verdict has triggered widespread debate, especially as it challenges the legality of some provisions in Kano’s religious-based legal framework.
In a statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Garba Waiya, reaffirmed Kano’s position, stating that the government has a duty to safeguard the religious values of its predominantly Muslim population.
“We won’t yield to external influence,” Waiya said. “Our primary duty is to protect the moral and religious foundations of our society. Though we acknowledge international perspectives, our legal system is shaped by the values and choices of our people.”
Waiya further emphasized that Kano’s decision is backed by Nigeria’s federal structure, which allows individual states to enact laws that reflect their social, cultural, and religious realities.
“The people of Kano have given us a mandate to preserve peace and uphold their deeply held religious beliefs. These laws are integral to that responsibility and will remain intact,” he added.
While the state acknowledged the ECOWAS Court’s authority, Waiya reiterated that Kano’s legal system must align with the unique identity of its residents.
“Our laws are a reflection of our moral and religious fabric, and we will continue to enforce them as part of our constitutional right under Nigeria’s federal system,” he concluded.
The Kano government argued that its blasphemy laws are consistent with Nigeria’s legal diversity, which allows states to legislate on certain matters, including criminal law, under the Concurrent Legislative List.