A court in Borno State, north-eastern Nigeria, has sentenced a Christian woman to 14 years’ imprisonment for sharing her faith with an adult Muslim woman who voluntarily chose to convert to Christianity.
Liyatu Samuel Dawa, in her late 30s, was convicted despite the convert’s clear, uncoerced testimony affirming that she acted entirely of her own free will.
Liyatu, who has begun her sentence, was found guilty of “depriving a parent of lawful custody of his child” under Section 210 of the penal laws of Borno State.
Liyatu Samuel Dawa [Image credit: Evangelist Amos Suleman]
The exact nature of the charge concerning “unlawful custody” is unclear, according to her lawyers, who suspect it to be a ploy to keep Liyatu in prison.
The lawyers confirmed that the woman that Liyatu spoke to about her faith was not underage by law – she was able to engage with any religious practice, choose to convert, and make her own decisions without any accusation of coercion due to age being relevant to her decision-making.
Borno is a Muslim-majority state in which sharia (Islamic law) operates. However, before a judgement can be made, the court must first ascertain the faith of the defendant, who, if not a Muslim, has the right to withhold consent to be tried in a sharia court. As Liyatu did not consent to the process, her lawyers argue, the court has no jurisdiction over the case and the trial was illegal.
Amos Suleman, Liyatu’s husband, is living in hiding after repeated death threats from local extremists.
“I’m on the run; my life is under threat,” he said. “I was imprisoned for months like a criminal. After I was released on bail, extremists began hunting for me. I’m not safe anymore.
“My wife is a good person,” he continued. “The young woman they claim she coerced is an adult – she testified clearly that no one forced her to accept Christ. Yet my wife is in prison suffering.”
The persistent threats on Amos’ life have made it impossible for him to visit her in prison.
In a certified copy of the judgment, Liyatu Samuel Dawa pleaded for leniency before sentencing. “I’m a mother,” she told the court. “I did not intend to cheat the victim. I only advised her. That is all.”
Human rights lawyer Samuel John described the conviction as “unconstitutional and deeply troubling”, saying, “No provision of Nigerian law justifies a 14‑year sentence for a consensual religious conversation between two adults.”
Liyatu’s lawyers are preparing an appeal, citing misapplication of Section 210 and breach of Section 38 of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees freedom to change religion.
How you can pray
Pray that this judgement will be overturned and that Liyatu will be released from this unjustified sentence. Pray for the safety of Amos and the whole family as they face threats from extremists. Ask that justice and righteousness will prevail in this case, and Christians will be able to share their faith freely in Muslim-majority regions of northern Nigeria.
