The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on authorities to safeguard religious freedom and constitutional rights following reports of the conviction and imprisonment of a Christian woman, Lami Samuel Dawa, in Borno State.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in a statement on Saturday.
The association said the circumstances surrounding the case, particularly reports linking it to the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity, had raised concerns about the right of Nigerians to freely choose and practise their religion.
According to CAN, an appeal had been filed against the conviction, noting that the association was awaiting the outcome of the judicial process.
Okoh said the precise facts of the case and the legal grounds for the conviction were still being verified.
He said CAN would respect the judicial process but insisted that the case underscored the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
“Every individual has the right to freely choose, change or practise their religion or belief without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment,” he said.
The association urged relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of all parties were protected and that justice was delivered in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
It also pledged to monitor the proceedings and engage relevant authorities through appropriate legal and institutional channels.
CAN reiterated its commitment to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious backgrounds, stressing that the fundamental rights of every citizen must be protected irrespective of religious affiliation.
