![Borno Christian Woman Sentenced To 14 Years Imprisonment For Converting A Muslim Adult To Christian [Video]](https://gists9ja.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/276726.jpg)
A court in Borno State has reportedly sentenced a Christian woman, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, to 14 years in prison over a case involving an adult Muslim woman who allegedly converted to Christianity voluntarily.
Dawa, who is reportedly in her late 30s, was convicted of depriving a parent of lawful custody of a child under Section 210 of Borno State’s penal laws, according to information provided by her lawyers.
However, her legal team has questioned the basis of the conviction, arguing that the woman at the centre of the case was an adult who testified that she had embraced Christianity of her own free will.
According to the lawyers, there was no evidence that the woman had been coerced into changing her religion. They also expressed concern about the precise circumstances surrounding the custody-related charge, which they believe may have been used to justify Dawa’s imprisonment.
The legal team has further challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that Dawa did not consent to being tried under the applicable Sharia legal process. They maintain that her religious status and the court’s authority to hear the case should have been properly established before the trial proceeded.
Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria, is predominantly Muslim and operates a Sharia legal system alongside the state’s broader legal framework. However, the precise legal basis for the proceedings against Dawa, including the court’s jurisdiction and the application of Section 210, remains a matter of dispute between her lawyers and the authorities.
Husband Reportedly Living in Hiding
Dawa’s husband, Amos Suleman, is reportedly living in hiding following alleged death threats from extremists.
Suleman said he had previously been imprisoned for months before being released on bail, after which he allegedly became the target of threats.
He also expressed concern about his wife’s imprisonment, maintaining that the woman involved in the conversion case was an adult who had testified that nobody forced her to embrace Christianity.
According to him, the alleged threats have made it difficult for him to visit his wife in prison.
Woman Appeals for Leniency
In a certified copy of the judgment cited in the account of the case, Dawa reportedly pleaded for leniency before sentencing, maintaining that she had only discussed her faith with the other woman.
“I’m a mother,” she reportedly told the court. “I did not intend to cheat the victim. I only advised her. That is all.”
Human rights lawyer Samuel John reportedly described the conviction as unconstitutional and troubling, arguing that the constitutional protection of religious freedom should apply to consensual religious discussions between adults.
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Section 38, including the right to change one’s religion or belief.
Dawa’s lawyers are reportedly preparing an appeal, challenging the application of Section 210 of Borno State’s penal laws and arguing that the proceedings violated her constitutional rights.
