CAN Appeals Conviction of Christian Woman Jailed in Borno Over Religious Conversion

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has appealed the conviction and imprisonment of Lami Samuel Dawa, a Christian woman reportedly jailed by a Borno State High Court over her involvement in the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity.

The association expressed concern over the case, describing it as one that raises significant questions about religious freedom, constitutional rights and the liberty of Nigerians to freely choose their faith.

The controversy arose after Justice A. B. Kumdila of the Borno State High Court reportedly convicted and sentenced Dawa in connection with her involvement in the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity.

Every Nigerian should have the constitutional right to freely choose, change or practise a religion without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment.

Following the conviction, CAN moved to challenge the decision through the legal process, filing an appeal against the judgment.

In a statement issued by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said it was concerned about the implications of the case for the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly the freedom to practise or change their religious beliefs.

Okoh, however, stressed that CAN was committed to allowing the judicial process to take its course now that an appeal had been filed.

He noted that every Nigerian should have the constitutional right to freely choose, change or practise a religion without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment.

“Nevertheless, 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,” he said.

The CAN president called on relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of all parties involved were protected and that justice was delivered in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.

He also assured that the Christian body would continue to monitor developments in the case and engage relevant authorities through appropriate legal and institutional channels.

Beyond the legal battle, CAN reiterated the importance of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths, insisting that the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen must be protected.

The development has brought renewed attention to the constitutional protection of religious freedom in Nigeria and the right of adults to make personal decisions about their religious beliefs.

As the appeal proceeds, the association says it remains committed to pursuing the matter through lawful means while advocating for the protection of religious rights and justice for all citizens.