Mubarak Bala, a prominent Nigerian atheist, has been released from prison after serving more than four years for blasphemy. Convicted in the northern city of Kano, Bala, 40, had pleaded guilty to 18 charges related to a Facebook post he shared in 2020. Despite his newfound freedom, Bala expressed deep concerns for his safety, as he now lives in a safe house, fearing potential threats to his life.
Bala’s case highlights the tension between secular and Islamic law in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states where Sharia law operates alongside the country’s criminal laws. Blasphemy is an offense under both legal systems, putting individuals like Bala at risk of violence and discrimination in the deeply religious society. As a vocal critic of religion, Bala renounced Islam in 2014, and his controversial social media post led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
“I feared for my life,” Bala said in an exclusive BBC interview. “At times, I thought I might not get out alive.” He recounted the constant threats he faced during his incarceration, particularly in Kano, a predominantly Muslim city. It was only due to an appeals court judge reducing his 24-year sentence that Bala’s imprisonment was cut short.
His release has been met with mixed reactions. While human rights groups have condemned the conviction, Bala’s supporters are relieved but cautious. Leo Igwe, founder of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, stated, “We are grateful that he’s free, but he committed no crime. This is a stain on his record.”
Bala, who missed much of his son’s early years, said he has no regrets about his activism. “I always knew the risks,” he shared. “But I still chose to speak out.”
Despite his release, Bala’s journey toward complete freedom remains fraught with uncertainty, as the threat of retaliation looms in a society where blasphemy is a grave offense.
