The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has rejected the 14-year imprisonment conviction of one Lami Samuel Dawa in Borno state. The convict was sentenced by the state High Court earlier this year which found her guilty of the charge against her.
President of CAN Archbishop Daniel Okoh said on Saturday in a statement that her conviction raised serious questions about human righst, religious freedom tolerance in the country,
Arcbishop Okoh, however, said an appeal has ben filed at a higher court to challenge Dawa’s conviction by a lower court.
According to the leader of Christians in the country, the Association has decided to allow the judicial process to run its full course, he, meanwhile, question the judgment saying it violates the rights of Nigerians to practice any religion they wish as guaranteed by the Constitution.
He stressed that no Nigerian should be punished for practicing or changing his/ her religious of choice through coercion and intimidation.
“The case raises important questions about the protection of religious freedom and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” CAN said.
“CAN therefore calls on the relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of all parties are protected and that justice is served in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
“CAN remains committed to the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians of all religious backgrounds and to the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Maiduguri branch of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, Ephraim Yidawi, who provides legal defense for the convicted Christian woman has dismissed report that she was sentenced for preaching Christianity or trying to convert a girl in the state.
Yidawi, said the allegations against Dawa included conspiracy to abduct a child, enticing a child to leave parental custody, removing the child from her parents’ lawful custody, depriving her of access to education and interfering with her religious practice and conversion.
He said she was only convicted for depriving a parent of the lawful custody of his child.
Dawa, the magazine recalls, was convicted by the state High Court on May 5, 2026.
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