After spending over 18 months in prison for condemning the brutal murder of Deborah Yakubu, Rhoda Jatau, a 46-year-old health worker in Warji Local Council, Bauchi State, has regained freedom.
According to a source who spoke to The PUNCH, Jatau was released on bail on Friday following interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Nigeria.
The source did not disclose the specific bail conditions or the court that granted Jatau bail but emphasised the crucial role played by the Inter-Religious Council in securing her 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,” the source said.
“We are pleased to report that Mrs Rhoda has been granted bail and subsequently released from detention today [sic]. 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.”
Jatau was arrested and charged under sections 114 and 210 of the state penal code, and section 24, subsection 1b(i) of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act of 2015 with inciting public disturbance, exciting the contempt of a religious creed and cyberstalking.
Her crime was condemning the death of Deborah Yakubu, the female Christian student lynched to death by bloodthirsty Muslim fanatics at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State.
On May 20, 2022, eight days after Deborah’s passing, the Bauchi State authorities arrested Jatau on allegation of blasphemy for sharing a message on her work WhatsApp group where she condemned the passing of the student.
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