Rhoda Jatau, a 46-year-old health worker in Warji Local Council, Bauchi State, has been released from prison after serving more than 18 months for her condemnation of the cruel murder of Deborah Yakubu.
Jatau was reportedly freed on bond on Friday as a result of interventions made by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The source underlined the critical role the Inter-Religious Council played in securing Jatau’s release but did not reveal the exact terms of her bail or the court that granted it.
The source stated, “The Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria have swiftly intervened in the matter following the outcry from the Christian community in Nigeria over the continued detention of Rhoda Jatau in Bauchi Prison.”
We’re happy to inform that Mrs. Rhoda was given bail and was later freed from custody today [sic]. We’re hoping for a positive outcome in this case. Let’s keep her in our thoughts and prayers. An important part was played by NIREC’s leadership. God is to be praised.
Jatau was taken into custody and accused with instigating public disturbance, encouraging the contempt of a religious creed, and engaging in cyberstalking under sections 114 and 210 of the state penal code as well as section 24, subsection 1b(i) of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act of 2015.
Her transgression involved denouncing the demise of Deborah Yakubu, the Christian student who was brutally killed by ferocious Muslim extremists at the Shehu Shagari College of Education located in Sokoto State.
Eight days after Deborah passed away, on May 20, 2022, Jatau was detained by Bauchi State officials on charges of blasphemy for posting a message denouncing the student’s death on her work WhatsApp group.
