Additional Name(s): Rhoda Ya’u Jatau

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Nigeria

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: May/20/2022

Date of Release: December//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Public Disorder Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Rhoda Jatau

Extra Bio Info:

Rhoda Jatau was detained for blasphemy.

On May 20, 2022, authorities in Bauchi state arrested Jatau after riots broke out in response to a perceived blasphemous message she sent on WhatsApp. Jatau's message came reportedly in response to the murder of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu who was killed in an instance of mob violence over a perceived blasphemous message she sent via WhatsApp. Jatau was reportedly accused of "inciting public disturbance; exciting contempt of religious creed; and cyber stalking" under Sections 114, 210 of the Penal Code Law and Section 24 subsection 1b(i) of Cybercrime Prohibition Prevention Act 2015 Laws.

In December 2023, a judge in Bauchi State granted Jatau bail. She has been relocated to a safe, undisclosed location.

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