Christian Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Nigeria for Sharing Faith

A Christian woman, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Borno State High Court in northeastern Nigeria. The conviction follows her efforts to share her faith with a Muslim woman who subsequently converted to Christianity. During the proceedings, the woman who converted testified that her decision was made voluntarily and without coercion. Dawa, who requested leniency from the court, was sentenced under Section 210 of the state’s Penal Code.

The case has prompted concerns regarding the intersection of local legal codes and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and the right to propagate one's beliefs. Dawa’s husband, Evangelist Amos Suleman, has reported that he is currently in hiding due to threats against his life following his own period of detention and subsequent release on bail. While the region of Gwoza has faced significant instability due to the activities of militant groups like Boko Haram, reports have not established a direct link between these groups and the legal proceedings against Dawa.