The United States government has called on Nigerian authorities to release Sufi Muslim singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who has been detained in Kano State since 2020 over blasphemy allegations.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley M. Barnes, made the appeal in written testimony presented on Thursday before the Africa Subcommittee of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.

In his testimony, titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt,” Barnes disclosed that Washington was mounting pressure on the Nigerian government to free the singer and stop enforcing blasphemy laws.

He said, “We are actively pressing the Government of Nigeria and calling for the release of Sufi singer, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who sits on death row over blasphemy charges. We continue to urge the government to cease enforcement of blasphemy laws.”

Barnes described the continued prosecution of individuals over alleged blasphemy as another troubling issue in Nigeria, noting that people face legal action over perceived insults to Islam, including peaceful expressions.

He also pointed out that Sharia penal codes operate in 12 Nigerian states, urging the Nigerian government to repeal blasphemy laws or, at the very least, discontinue their enforcement.

The US official further stated that Washington would continue to pressure Nigeria to address attacks and violence. He added that the US would assess progress based on reductions in violence and efforts to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Sharif-Aminu, who was 22 at the time, was sentenced to death in August 2020 by a Sharia Court in Hausawa Filin Hockey, Kano State, over a song he released that was deemed insulting to Prophet Muhammad.

The presiding judge, Khadi Aliyu Muhammad, handed down the sentence after concluding that the evidence presented established the offence against the singer.

Before his arrest, some Kano youths had, in March 2020, stormed the Kano Hisbah office, demanding action against Sharif-Aminu over the song, which allegedly contained derogatory remarks about the Prophet.

The singer was arrested that same month after sharing the composition in a WhatsApp group. Some members of the Muslim community considered its lyrics blasphemous, while his family home was subsequently set ablaze by a mob.

However, in January 2021, the Kano State High Court overturned the death sentence, citing procedural irregularities, including the failure to provide the singer with legal representation during his trial. The court consequently ordered a retrial.

The Court of Appeal upheld the retrial order in August 2022. Sharif-Aminu later approached the Supreme Court, which allowed his appeal to proceed in September 2025.

His case remains unresolved.