Humanists International welcomes news that Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has finally been presented at court. However, the organization maintains that all charges laid against Bala should be dropped immediately and unconditionally.

Today’s court appearance represents the first time Bala has appeared in court in the 644 days in which he has been detained. During the session, Bala denied all charges. A ruling on Bala’s petition for bail is expected in the coming months as the case proceeds to trial.

Mubarak Bala, President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested from his home in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, on 28 April 2020 in connection with a series of Facebook posts which some deemed to be “blasphemous” and likely to cause a public disturbance.

Subsequently transferred into the custody of Kano State, where the initial complaint was filed, Bala was held for more than five months before being granted access to his legal counsel. It was a further 10 months before he was formally charged with 10 counts of causing a public disturbance under Sections 210 and 114 of the Kano State Penal Code, respectively. The circumstances of his detention represent a clear violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.

Andrew Copson, President of Humanists International, commented:

“Today’s court proceedings represent a significant milestone in Bala’s case. While we welcome that there is, at last, progress in his case, we urge the authorities to drop all charges against Mubarak immediately and unconditionally and ensure his safety upon his release.“

Humanists International believes that Mubarak Bala is being targeted for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and religion or belief, and calls for the case against him to be dropped, for Bala to be released immediately and unconditionally, and for the Nigerian authorities to ensure his safety upon his release. To this end, we urge the state and federal authorities to intervene on behalf of Bala to protect his human rights, including by granting him access to medical treatment.

Source: https://humanists.international/2022/02/nigeria-mubarak-bala-appears-in-court-for-first-time-in-644-days/

Front page: Lalasticlala Mynd44

They allow pedophiles to roam their streets and marry underage children but someone who doesn't share the same belief in a terrorist is wanted for blasphemy, stupidity at it's peak.

Man these religious zealots are something else. Everything he did falls under free speech unless everyone should be compelled to believe in their fiction. This case will go to the Supreme Court since neither party can accept defeat. Hopefully Bala wins.

Anyway can a lawyer explain what legal standing does kano state have to prosecute Bala for a crime that occurred in Kaduna? Even if the complaint originated it kano it should be left to Kaduna to prosecute. Nigeria's lawyers aren't worth their salt if they miss this easy goal.

How dare he insult our Holy prophet... how dare he?? We will not take it

An attention seeking fool. Looks like he got all the attention now.

Blue3k:
Man these religious zealots are something else. Everything he did falls under free speech unless everyone should be compelled to believe in their tales. This case will go to the Supreme Court since neither party can accept defeat. Hopefully Bala wins.

Anyway Can a lawyer explain what legal standing does kano state have to prosecute Bala for a crime that occurred in Kaduna? Even of the complaint originated it kano it should be left to Kaduna to prosecute. Nigeria's lawyers aren't worth their salt if they miss this easy goal.

The government has the right to curb actions that are liable to cause public disturbance.

If someone comes out to start making posts about how Boko Haram should spread to other regions, he should be left alone, because of "human rights"?!

Luckysbab:
An attention seeking fool. Looks like he got all the attention now.

Perhaps, but people could have ignored him. Instead, they jailed him, and made him a hero and made his message spread all the more.

The religious, of which I am one, sometimes need not pay attention to the atheist and the agnostic when they propagate their message. Leave them to God, do not violate their rights.

Luckysbab:


The government has the right to curb actions that are liable to cause public disturbance.

If someone comes out to start making posts about how Boko Haram should spread to other regions, he should be left alone, because of "human rights"?!

I thought they said innocent until proven guilty, when did you start supporting jungle justice because you heard he is suspected of blasphemy against Islam, is it close to things that Elrufai said about Christians before he became Governor?

1.Who is Mubarak Bala?
2. What did he post on Facebook that warranted his arrest and detention for so long without trial?
3. Is this Buhari regime really suppressive and against press freedom, free speech and expression of the citizens' fundamental human rights?
4. What is blasphemy and what part of the Nigerian Constitution prescribes punishment for blasphemy?

These are the questions on my mind begging for answers.

This government really dealt with Nigerians...I hop we have learnt our lesson the hard way

Religion is a curse to the world

Atheist Association Of Nigeria or Humanist Association Of Nigeria?

Blue3k:


Source: https://humanists.international/2022/02/nigeria-mubarak-bala-appears-in-court-for-first-time-in-644-days/

Front page: Lalasticlala Mynd44

Kaduna will see peace again. Its a matter of time.

Blackfire:
How dare he insult our Holy prophet... how dare he?? We will not take it

go and sit down..if he insults him u are in no positiom to fight for him..the prophet is more powerful than u..i have not seen a todler fighting for his dad..allah is supreme mohammed too..he will drop dead on his own he doesnt need your help to fight for him.i am a muslim lets stop all this rubbish and fight for the education of the girl child cuz i have daughters too they dont deserve to marry a 90 year old at 13.stop terrorism. Stop seing infedels as enemies and our relegion will be d best

Luckysbab:


The government has the right to curb actions that are liable to cause public disturbance.

If someone comes out to start making posts about how Boko Haram should spread to other regions, he should be left alone, because of "human rights"?!

You have a point, but at the end of the day, proclaiming that one has left his religion for atheism, should not be the opportunity for violent acts against others.

He says he is an atheist. So what.? Ignore him, and let him go his way. He did not force his atheisim on others.

Luckysbab:


The government has the right to curb actions that are liable to cause public disturbance.

If someone comes out to start making posts about how Boko Haram should spread to other regions, he should be left alone, because of "human rights"?!

Free expression a right. You don't have the right to not to be offended argue your point back without behaving like a monkey. Your boko haram example is nonsensical apples and oranges comparisons. The person saying it only goes to jail if its a direct call to arms, saying your religion is fake isn't that.

Blue3k:


Free expression a right. You don't have the right to not to be offended argue your point back with behaving like a monkey. You boko haram example is nonsensical apples and oranges comparisons.

i tire o.i wanted to ask him how these 2 senerios are relative..relegion is a cause..wat if we drop relegion and practice peace..

lecturer22:
Religion is a curse to the world

Expecially that religion of Terriost. Religion of Boko boys

lecturer22:
Religion is a curse to the world

So also is atheism as well...considering the atrocities that atheisms committed in the name of eradicating religion and other matters in China and Russia and elsewhere.

Seriously, you guys should stop blaming ideologies and start blaming individuals.

Children of Mohammed the rapist prophet keep taking Nigeria backwards.. Wtf. 600+ days. One Nigeria Islamabad o bad gidi gan.. Gbogbo yin ti mad

osazsky:
go and sit down..if he insults him u are in no positiom to fight for him..the prophet is more powerful than u..i have not seen a todler fighting for his dad..allah is supreme mohammed too..he will drop dead on his own he doesnt need your help to fight for him.i am a muslim lets stop all this rubbish and fight for the education of the girl child cuz i have daughters too they dont deserve to marry a 90 year old at 13.stop terrorism. Stop seing infedels as enemies and our relegion will be d best

You a Muslim...never ...you are a kaffri

backbencher:


You have a point, but at the end of the day, proclaiming that one has left his religion for atheism, should not be the opportunity for violent acts against others.

He says he is an atheist. So what.? Ignore him, and let him go his way. He did not force his atheisim on others.

If he stopped at declaring his new found belief only, it would have been fine. He kept on attacking other people's faith. That's an invitation to anarchy.

The military doesn't tolerate you leaving, talk more of turning around to start bashing the institution. That's discipline.

osazsky:
i tire o.i wanted to ask him how these 2 senerios are relative..relegion is a cause..wat if we drop relegion and practice peace..

Religious zealots don't believe in free expression so it shouldn't be a surprise. Every knee must bow before their chosen idol or else.

Nigerian people of God you are all blood piggish dirty Terrorists and I hate you all. If you're not Terrorists why hating and attacking people who refuse to believe in your imaginary stupid Allah/Jehovah/Jesus. Is it by force to believe in your nonsense that is causing the major crises today in the world. Thunder fire every God believer,you bloody Terrorists. It's obviously in Bible n Quran how believers must kill unbelievers and you all celebrate these evil religion. May mother Earth (Gaiah) swallow up all of you evil religious pigs. Christians and Muslims I hate you guys so much. There is No God, only fools are believers of a fairy gay jesus in 12 man Bleep and only idiots believe in another stupid Prophet Mohammed gay paedophile child rapist. Make una God punish una continuously. Evil people, all evil are perpetrated by believers in the name of God. Free Mubarak Bala, the great atheist that has given freedom to atheist movement in Nigeria

osazsky:
go and sit down..if he insults him u are in no positiom to fight for him..the prophet is more powerful than u..i have not seen a todler fighting for his dad..allah is supreme mohammed too..he will drop dead on his own he doesnt need your help to fight for him.i am a muslim lets stop all this rubbish and fight for the education of the girl child cuz i have daughters too they dont deserve to marry a 90 year old at 13.stop terrorism. Stop seing infedels as enemies and our relegion will be d best

Are you really a muslim?
If the answer to the above is "yes", then you're definitely not from Northern Nigeria.
No Muslim from that part can be as reasonable as you are, and that includes General Buhari.

So mubarak still dey sef?

I been dey think say the man don murd since.

Blackfire:



You a Muslim...never ...you are a kaffri

oga shut up.what do u know abt islam.wat is his crime..u want to force a relegion on someone dictorship and military rule is over.freedom of speach and relegion.since u feel u are d only one entitled to 7 virgins how does him going to hell ur headach.or u want to help him go to hell idiot since he is not dragging ur virgins with u .i see no reason y u should drag his hell with him

]

Luckysbab:


If he stopped at declaring his new found belief only, it would have been fine. He kept on attacking other people's faith. That's an invitation to anarchy.

On facebook...it's not like the guy went and forced people at gunpoint to renounce their religion.

Seriously, when Muslims , and no I am not here to attack Islam, start responding violently to all sorts of provocations, it plays into the hands of your enemies who wish to portray you as anarchic violent people. There is a time to simply ignore people.

The military doesn't tolerate you leaving, talk more of turning around to start bashing the institution. That's discipline.

He wasn't in the Army, plus you can leave the army, there are legal ways of doing so...plus some ex soldiers do diss the army...once gone. as is their right.

Nothing good comes with headslamming! When they see that you don't slam head with them, you're in trouble!