Rhoda Jatau, a Bauchi woman who denounced the purported murder of Samuel Deborah in Sokoto State, has been released from prison after serving eighteen months, The PUNCH has learned.
A source, who requested to remain anonymous, that Jatau was freed on bond on Friday as a result of interventions from the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Jatau, a mother of five, was arrested in May 2022 for blasphemy after posting a video criticising the lynching of Deborah, a student.
Deborah, a 200-level student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, was killed mercilessly after posting a warning on a WhatsApp page about delivering religious materials.
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.
“Following the outcry from the Christian community in Nigeria over the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau in Bauchi Prison, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria have swiftly intervened in the matter.
“We are pleased to report that Mrs Rhoda has been granted bail and subsequently released from detention today. We have high hopes that the case will end in praise. Let’s continue to uphold her in our prayers. The leadership of NIREC played a key role. Praise be to our God”, he told the PUNCH.
