The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council and the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) have jointly called for the release of Mubarak Bala, who was sentenced to a 24-year jail term by Kano State High Court for blaspheming Islam.
The two associations made the demand on Monday during a courtesy visit by NAS to the NUJ Secretariat in commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
The NAS delegation was led by its Capoon, Mr. Olufemi Adesope.
The delegation was welcomed by NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola, and other executive members of the association.
NAS appealed to NUJ to join efforts in securing the release of Bala.
Babalola in his reaction, also called for the release of the detainee.
He also expressed gratitude for the visit and assured to positively look into the collaboration between the body and the NUJ.
Babalola encouraged NAS to persist in its endeavours towards a fairer society, pledging more collaboration from NUJ.
He emphasised the importance of the rule of law and sanctity of the detainee’s human rights.
The 39-year-old former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, who has been in detention since 2020, pleaded guilty to all 18 charges and asked for leniency.
Bala renounced his Islamic faith in 2014. On April 27, 2020, he compared founder of the Synagogue Church of Nations Prophet TB Joshua with Prophet Muhammad. Bala’s lawyers say the judgement will be appealed.
