OpEd: Mubarak Bala: Facebook Posts And Freedom Of Expression By Leo Igwe | Sahara Reporters If Muslims would not sanction the incarceration or execution of their clerics and scholars for 'insulting' the prophets of other religions, why do... READ MORE:
Some Muslims have asked the police to prosecute Nigerian Humanist, Mubarak Bala for making some posts on Facebook. They claim that his posts insulted the prophet of Islam. And for that reason, they want Mr. Bala penalized. Others are threatening to execute him. The police have arrested Mr. Bala and may soon charge him. In this piece, I argue that the police should unconditionally release Mr. Bala because what they said he did was not an offense against the state.
I am of the view that the said posts of Mr. Bala were within his right to freedom of expression and belief. I submit that if the police, in an attempt to appease the petitioners, prosecute and convict Mr. Bala based on the said comments, they would be setting a legal precedent that would negatively reflect on the right to freedom of expression of all persons including Muslims.
The police must try not to validate the sentiment of the petitioners that anybody who makes any adjudged insulting posts on Facebook is a criminal, and breaches public peace. Such a position has a wide range of implications for free expression of ideas and beliefs.
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