Nigerian Atheist Mubarak Bala Freed from Prison Amid Ongoing Threats to His Safety

After serving a lengthy prison sentence for blasphemy, Mubarak Bala has been freed, yet he and his legal team continue to express concerns about his safety in a country known for strict religious laws and societal pressures against atheism.

Mubarak Bala, a 40-year-old Nigerian atheist, has just been released from prison after serving over four years for blasphemy. Following his release, he is currently staying in a safe house as his legal team warns that his life may still be at risk. Bala was convicted in Kano, a northern city, after he unexpectedly pled guilty to 18 counts stemming from a contentious Facebook post shared in 2020.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Bala articulated his ongoing concerns for his safety, expressing that the fear is ever-present. Nigeria has a deeply religious culture, and individuals perceived to have insulted religious beliefs—be it Islam or Christianity—may face ostracism or violence. Blasphemy is not only a crime under the Islamic Sharia law, which is enacted alongside secular legislation in northern Nigeria, but it also falls under Nigeria's criminal code.

Having renounced Islam in 2014, Bala recounted that during his imprisonment he often felt that he “may not get out alive.” He worried that he could have been targeted by prison guards or fellow inmates, especially in Kano, which has a predominantly Muslim population. Bala reflected on his newfound freedom, stating, “Freedom is here, but also there is an underlying threat I now have to face.”

His sentence could have extended much longer had it not been for an appeal that reduced his original 24-year sentence, which an appeals court judge deemed “excessive.” Upon his release in the capital, Abuja, Bala emerged worn yet cheerful, dressed simply and accompanied by his beaming attorney.

Bala's journey began with his arrest after a group of lawyers lodged a complaint about his social media activity. Following two years in detention awaiting trial, he was convicted in 2022. His guilty plea surprised many, including his legal team; nonetheless, he maintains that it alleviated the burden on those standing by him.

Understanding the socio-political ramifications, Bala stated, "I believe what I did saved not only my life, but people in Kano." His case has drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations, reigniting debates over freedom of speech in Nigeria. The impact of his detention resonated deeply within Nigeria's small atheist and humanist communities, and while many expressed relief at his release, concerns linger.

Leo Igwe, head of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, reflected on the situation, saying, "Thanks, that he's out, thanks that he's a free man. But no thanks, because there is a dent on him as if he committed a crime. For us at the Humanist Association, he committed no crime."

Bala expresses eagerness to reconnect with his young son, who was just six weeks old when he was incarcerated. Despite the hardships endured, Bala expressed no regrets about his activism. He acknowledged the risks associated with his social media presence, admitting that he was aware of the possible dire consequences yet chose to continue speaking out. “I knew the dangers, and I still decided to do it,” he affirmed.