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.

The Media Aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over what he described as disrespect for Nigeria’s National Anthem.

reports that Obi and supporters of the NDC recited the country’s former national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Lagos State.

Obi attended the gathering alongside the party’s Lagos State governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, and other NDC members. Their decision to sing the old anthem was seen as a rejection of the current national anthem.

Reacting in a post on X, Olayinka accused Obi of failing to understand the implications of disregarding the National Anthem, referring to provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

He insisted that all citizens, regardless of their social or political status, are bound to obey the law.

Olayinka wrote:

“I am sure this Peter Obi does not know the implications of disrespecting the National Anthem of a country he is seeking to govern.

“Law is law and it must be obeyed by all citizens. But this supporter of IPOB Terrorists was there and he participated in disrespecting Nigeria.

“Section 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it mandatory for Nigerians to ‘abide by the Constitution, …respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities.’

“But to Peter Obi and his rebellious gang, the laws of Nigeria must not be obeyed. Nigeria must operates like a jungle just because one PACKAGED FRAUD wants to be President. And Peter Obi claimed to be educated? Sad!”