The Bauchi State High Court has rejected the no-case submission made by Rhoda Jatau, a healthcare worker who has been incarcerated for 18 months. Jatau was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in May 2022 after sharing a video condemning the lynching of a Christian female student accused of blasphemy in Sokoto. She faces charges of inciting public disturbance, exciting contempt of religious creed, and cyberstalking.
The prosecution had closed its case, and Jatau’s defence attempted to present a no-case argument, which was delayed by the court’s deferred hearing dates. The court’s ruling on Monday affirmed the legal standing of the charges against Jatau, even though they are substantiated with scant evidence.
Jatau’s arrest and prolonged detention have drawn international concerns, with the United Nations and organizations like Christian Solidarity International expressing worry. They argue that her incarceration infringes on her fundamental rights to freedom of expression and religion. Additionally, the repeated denial of bail to Jatau has raised questions about the fairness and proportionality of the legal measures taken against her. The trial will now proceed with the defence working to prove the justification of her actions rather than arguing that they do not constitute the alleged offences.
