Rhoda Jatau, a Bauchi woman who was jailed for condemning the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, has finally regained her freedom after 18-months behind bars.
Jatau, a mother of five, had been in detention since May 2022 on the grounds of blasphemy, for sharing a video condemning the lynching of late Ms Samuel by an angry mob.
Ms Samuel , a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was brutally murdered after advising against sending religious materials on her department’s WhatsApp group page.
A reliable source who confirmed Jatau’s release said she was granted bail on Friday, December 8 following interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria.
The source, however, did not reveal bail conditions or which court had granted Jatau bail, but noted that the Inter-Religious Council had played “a key role” in securing her release.
“Following the outcry from the Christian community in Nigeria over the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau in Bauchi Prison, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria have swiftly intervened in the matter,” the source said.
“We are pleased to report that Mrs Rhoda has been granted bail and subsequently released from detention today. We have high hopes that the case will end in praise. Let’s continue to uphold her in our prayers. The leadership of NIREC played a key role. Praise be to our God”, the source added.
