Rhoda Jatau, a health worker in Bauchi State, has been in prison since May 2022 for “exciting contempt of religious creed,” and cyberstalking under Sections 114, 210 of the Penal Code Law and Section 24 subsection 1b(i) of Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act 2015 Laws. But all she did was forward a video on WhatsApp criticising the murder of a student in Sokoto state.
On May 12, 2022, Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was unjustly lynched and burned to death by a mob. She knew some of them — they were her classmates, and they turned against her, claiming she’d blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad. Deborah was 19.
This event would also change Rhoda Jatau’s life forever.
What happened?
A few days after Deborah’s murder, Department of State Services (DSS) agents arrested the 45-year-old mother of five. Her crime? She’d shared a video on WhatsApp, criticising the mob action that led to Deborah Samuel’s death. Her co-workers, who saw the video, allegedly brought a mob to her door and, subsequently, the DSS. Rhoda was also accused of blasphemy.
She has been repeatedly denied bail and incarcerated since May 2022. She also faces years in prison capital punishment under the North’s sharia laws if she’s convicted.
How’s the case going?
The court has adjourned scheduled hearings for the case at least five times since 2022, impeding her defence’s effort to apply for a “no-case submission”. On November 27, 2023, the High Court in Bauchi State rejected the no-case submission. Rhoda’s lawyers will now have to present her case to the court in the hopes of getting an acquittal.
What happens now?
Rhoda Jatau is scheduled to appear in court again on December 19, 2023. It remains to be seen if the hearing will take place.
Meanwhile, the court decision has sparked outrage and criticism on social media. The overall sentiment is that it’s unfair that while Deborah’s murderers are free, religious extremists are bent on claiming another victim, denying them their freedom.
What can you do?
You can lend a voice and spread the word on social media with the hashtags #FreeRhodaJatau and #FreeRhodaJatauNow. You can also sign this ongoing petition on change.org
Rhoda Jatau deserves to be free and reunited with her family.