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Recent Update: 9th December, 2023 Jatau regains freedom after 18 months in detention
After 18 months in prison, Rhoda Jatau, a Bauchi woman who condemned the alleged killing of Samuel Deborah in Sokoto State, has regained her freedom, The PUNCH learnt.
A reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that Jatau was released on bail on Friday following interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria.
The PUNCH reports that Jatau, a mother of five, had been detained since May 2022 on the grounds of blasphemy, for sharing a video condemning the lynching of a student, Deborah.
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 bail and release.
Imprisoned Christian Woman "Traumatized"
In May 2022, rumours spread that Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu had blasphemed against the Islamic prophet Mohammed during a WhatsApp group chat. Mob violence ensued, resulting in the death of the young Christian woman. In the days that followed, many expressed their shock over the news, including Rhoda Ya'u Jatau, who shared a WhatsApp message condemning Deborah's death. On May 20th, Rhoda was arrested by security agents and accused of public disturbance, inciting contempt of religious creed, and cyberstalking. (For more information, go to this page). She has been held in custody since her arrest.
On February 6th of this current year, Rhoda attended a court hearing in which the testimony of one of her accusers was given. On February 14th, another hearing was held. The case has now been adjourned until March 6th. The family's pastor, Rev. Ishaku Dano, who attended the trial, expressed concerns over the Christian healthcare worker's physical condition. "When I saw her in court, she was looking battered and traumatized," he reports. "She manages to smile, apparently to keep her family from worrying, but you could see it in her eyes that she is dying slowly." Deeply concerned for Rhoda's safety, he asserted, "We are afraid they might be trying to kill her."
