Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist, initially sentenced to 24 years in prison for blasphemy-related charges in 2022, has now had his sentence reduced to five years following an appeal.
According to Bala’s lawyer, James Ibori, a panel of three judges in Kano state deemed the original sentence “excessive” and “contrary to the law”.
The timing of Bala’s release remains uncertain, as he has already spent four years in prison.
His case drew global attention after his arrest in 2020, triggering international outcry.
Bala was accused by a group of Muslims of posting derogatory remarks about Islam on social media, leading to his arrest.
He later confessed to all 18 charges and was sentenced to 24 years in prison by a high court in Kano, a Muslim-majority state.
His detention has sparked concerns about freedom of speech in Nigeria, prompting widespread calls for his release.
