Nigerian Atheist Mubarak Bala Released, Faces Ongoing Threats

Mubarak Bala, a 40-year-old Nigerian atheist, has been released from prison after serving over four years for blasphemy, a controversial conviction stemming from a Facebook post. Despite being out, Bala is reportedly living in a safe house due to ongoing threats against his life. His case has sparked significant debate about freedom of speech in Nigeria, a country deeply divided by religious beliefs.

Mubarak Bala, a prominent figure in Nigeria's atheist community, has been released from prison after serving more than four years on blasphemy charges but now lives in fear for his life. The 40-year-old ex-atheist was convicted for a Facebook post deemed offensive in 2020 while initially pleading guilty to 18 charges in a Kano court. "The concern about my safety is always there," Bala stated in a recent exclusive interview.

Bala's conviction highlights Nigeria's complex relationship with religion, where blasphemy is punishable under both Islamic law and criminal law, especially in the predominantly Muslim northern states. He renounced Islam in 2014, and during his imprisonment, he feared for his safety from both prison guards and inmates. "Freedom is here, but also there is an underlying threat I now have to face," he shared upon his release, further reflecting on his time behind bars.

Bala’s impressive journey to freedom came after an appeals court reduced his original 24-year sentence, which was branded "excessive" by the judge. Emerging from prison in Abuja, he expressed a mix of gratitude and trepidation and remarked, "Everything is new to me. Everything is new."

Bala's arrest followed a complaint filed by a group of lawyers regarding his social media activity. While his guilty plea surprised many, even his legal team, Bala insists it was a necessary choice to protect his supporters who were at risk as well. "I believe what I did saved... those that were attached to my case," he noted.

International human rights organizations condemned his conviction, igniting discussions about the limits of free speech in Nigeria, which often affects the lives of atheists and humanists. Leo Igwe, the Humanist Association founder, expressed mixed feelings about Bala’s release, recognizing both the relief of freedom and the lingering stigma attached to his conviction.

Now out, Bala seeks to reconnect with his young son, who was just a few weeks old when he was imprisoned. Despite the risks, he remains committed to his beliefs. "When I made the decision to come out, I knew I could be killed... I still decided to do it." As Bala navigates his newfound freedom, he and the broader community remain vigilant in the face of ongoing challenges.