Additional Name(s): Abdulazeez Dauda, Abdul Inyass
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nigeria
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: Death
Date of Detainment: May//2015
Date of Sentencing: January//2016
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy
Abdulazeez Inyass is imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.
In May 2015, Inyass, a cleric, allegedly said during a lecture that Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse, the founder of the Tijaniya order that Inyass belongs to, was "bigger than the Prophet Mohamed."
On an unspecified date, authorities arrested Inyass following violent protests. He was reportedly subjected to a five-month secret trial.
In January 2016, Inyass was sentenced to death for "insulting the Prophet Muhammad."
As of August 2020, Inyass remains detained as he waits for the governor to approve his sentence.
USCIRF Tweet November 12, 2021
USCIRF Muslims in Africa Factsheet October 2021
USCIRF Kano State Issue Update October 2021
"Nigerian singer sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano state" British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
"Nigeria court in Kano sentences cleric to death for blasphemy" British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)