Bauchi State-based health care worker, Rhoda Jatau, will remain in jail, extending her already harrowing 18 months incarceration after her no case submission before a High Court in Bauchi State was thrown out on Monday to the dismay of human rights observers and the international community.
Rhoda Jatau was arrested by the State Security Service in May 2020 after she shared a video that condemned the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a Christian college student accused of blasphemy and set ablaze in daylight by Islamic fanatics in Sokoto. She is facing charges of inciting public disturbance, “exciting contempt of religious creed,” and cyberstalking.
The gravity of the charges is further accentuated by the fact that the “contempt” charge serves as the civil equivalent of blasphemy under Islamic Sharia law, a legal paradigm often politically enforced outside general constitutional provisions.
The prosecution had since closed its case but the defence’s attempt to present its no case argument was repeatedly stymied as the judge defers court dates and the trial experiences a prolonged timeline. The submission was eventually made on October 16 at a hearing witnessed by Ms Jatau’s husband, Ya’u Adamu, and other observers.
Yesterday’s ruling against the no case submission meant that the court affirms the legal standing of the authorities to argue the charges brought against her even though it is substantiated with scant evidence. In what could mark a predetermined proceeding, the court admitted the interpretation of Rhoda Jatau sharing of a social media video as offensive to extant laws and her lawyers would now work to prove that her action was justified rather than the initial stance that her action did not constitute the offences alleged.
Her arrest and prolonged detention have raised international concerns with the United Nations and organisations such as Christian Solidarity International expressing worry. They contend that Ms Jatau’s incarceration represents an infringement on her fundamental rights to freedom of expression, religion or belief.
Of concern is the repeated denial of bail to Ms Jatau. The United Nations and CSI underscore that the denial of bail not only restricts her freedom but also raises questions about the fairness and proportionality of the legal measures taken against her.
