Killing Of Deborah Over Alleged Blasphemy: Nigeria Police Must Leave No Stone Unturned To Ensure Justice Is Done

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, CLASFON has expressed great shock and dismay at the gruesome and barbaric killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto on Thursday, 12th of May, 2022 by her course mates over allegations of blasphemy.

In the statement the Fellowship condemned the killing describing it as out of place for people to resort to self-help contrary to the laws of the land.

According to the statement dated 15th of May and signed by the National President, Prof. Oluwole John Akintayo and Co-signed by the National Secretary, Precious Nwadimuya, Deborah’s murder also amounted to a violation of her right to life under the Nigerian Constitution.

“It is our considered view that there are adequate laws both substantive and procedural in the Statute books of Sokoto State to deal with the alleged blasphemous conduct of Deborah Samuel Yakubu and it was out of place to resort to jungle justice or self-help contrary to the law of the land. The unlawful and cruel termination of the life of Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a gross violation of her right to life guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the supreme law in Nigeria, as well as relevant international human rights instruments. The right to life is the most important and precious of all human rights and it is incumbent on all to ensure its protection. Life is sacred and Nigerian law does not authorise the unlawful taking of anyone’s life in the circumstances depicted by the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu. It is important to reiterate that the rule of law does not in any way support the criminal acts perpetrated with respect to Deborah Samuel Yakubu.”

The Fellowship noted the condemnation of the act by the Sultanate Council and commended the Council.

The statement said: “While we commend the Sultanate Council for its condemnation of the unfortunate incident in its entirety and its appeal to law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the acts which resulted in the death of Deborah Samuel Yakubu to justice, we expect all people of goodwill to do the same.”

The fellowship urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure they leave no stone unturned to see that justice is served according to the law of Nigeria in the matter of the gruesome killing of a fellow citizen, Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

It said; “This is against the background that murder or culpable homicide is a criminal offence in the Federal Republic of Nigeria irrespective of the motive for perpetrating it. The Police as an institution must not allow itself to be cowed by the sponsored protests in Sokoto State or pressured into abdicating its responsibilities to the good people of Nigeria by hoodlums whose only interest is the promotion of anarchy. Justice must be done and must be seen to be done in this case of Deborah Samuel Yakubu. Not only will this send the right message to the international community and all people of goodwill that Nigeria is a country governed by law and committed to the rule of law but it will also help to build the trust of the average citizen in Nigeria’s fidelity to the rule of law and respect for human life.”

They further urged religious leaders of all persuasions not to be deterred in performing their bounden duty to educate their followers on the need to be cautious, sensitive, tolerant and to follow legally prescribed processes for the vindication of their rights that are infringed cognisant of their tremendous ability to guide adherents of different faiths in Nigeria’s multi-religious environment.

The fellowship commiserated with the parents, family members, friends and associates of Deborah Samuel Yakubu and the entire Christian community in Nigeria on this sad development and prayed for God’s comfort and strength for them at this very difficult time.