This is the English translation of the judgment of the Sharia Court in Kano that sentenced Sharif Yahaya Sharif to death over allged blasphemy.

It has been established, based on the CTC of the judgment and the CTC of the Record of Proceedings that he had no legal representation.

It is also established that the Sharia Court relied exclusively on a purported confessional statement made by Sharif. No evidence was adduced.

The purported blasphemous statement is not reproduced or stated in the judgment.

The entire proceedings was done speedily.

Although the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council in Kano to provide legal representation to Sharif, that was not done and the court did not enforce its order to that effect.

Legally, every person that is standing trial for a capital offence must be represented by a lawyer.

That is why notorious kidnapper Evans is being represented by a lawyer. Even where a defendant in such cases waives his right to legal representation, the Court is mandated to force a lawyer on the defendant. This is because the law takes capital offences very seriously.

The facts of this case are very troubling. I hope the appellate court(s) will do justice to the case by setting aside the conviction of the defendant.

We need to have a frank conversation on the relationship between religion and the state. Nobody should be killed over a comment.