Deborah Samuel: Family members rejoice as Rhoda Jatau regains freedom | Nigeria News

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The family and friends of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau, who was incarcerated for 18 months on charges of blasphemy, following her comments over the murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State, have been in ecstatic mood as she regained her freedom last Friday.

According to reports, the mother of five regained her freedom 18 months after security operatives in Bauchi State arrested her for alleged blasphemy in condemning the killing of Deborah, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by her fellow students who accused her of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad on May 12, 2022.

A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said she was freed on bond following the intervention of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“Following the outcry from the Christian community in Nigeria over the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau in Bauchi Prison, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria have swiftly intervened in the matter.

“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. Let’s continue to keep her in our prayers. The leadership of NIREC played a key role. Praise be to our God,” the source said.

In an interview with a national newspaper, yesterday, Rhoda’s husband, Ya’u, said he was excited over the release of his wife.
He said: “I feel very, very happy that my wife has been released and is back home. I cannot thank God enough. I want to thank everyone who made this happen. That is all I can say at the moment.”

The Guardian reports that Rhoda’s release could be as a result of increasing outcry against her incarceration.
Two days ago, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) had decried her continued detention.

The Executive Director of CITAD, Yunusa Ya’u, while addressing a press conference in Bauchi, had said that Rhoda was arrested by security operatives in Bauchi State for “sharing a WhatsApp message to her friends condemning the killing of a student in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy.”

He added: “On May 20, 2022, Mrs. Jatau was picked up at her residence by NPF on the allegations of alleged incitement and inciting public disturbance. The police action was based on their perception of what her message could do.

“This action has directly infringed on her rights to freedom of expression and speech as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Her post, while perhaps strong in its language, did not incite violence or hatred. It was simply an expression of her opinion, a right guaranteed to her by our constitution. It is an outright abuse of her digital right to freedom of expression online.”

The Centre had demanded her immediate release and all charges against her be dropped.
Ya’u had called on both the Federal and Bauchi State Governments to immediately intervene in the matter and ensure Rhoda’s release without further delay.

CITAD had warned the police against illegal arrest of citizens for exercising their constitutional rights online.

“We call on the media organisations nationwide to amplify the voices of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau and others who face similar injustices at the hands of Nigeria Police Force and other agencies.
“Human Rights Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and lawyers should unite in assisting victims of digital rights abuse and safeguarding the digital rights of Nigerians.
“Also, the National Assembly should speed up the passage of the digital rights and freedom bill, which we believe will address most of these injustices perpetrated against the citizens under the guise of national security,” he said.

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