Christian Association of Nigeria questions conviction of Christian woman in Borno
The Christian Association of Nigeria has raised concerns over the reported conviction and imprisonment of a Christian woman in Borno State, calling for the protection of religious freedom and due process.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed concern over the reported conviction and imprisonment of a Christian woman in Borno State, calling for the protection of religious freedom and fundamental rights. The woman, identified in circulating reports as Lami Samuel Dawa, was reportedly convicted in a case said to involve the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity.
CAN said it was still verifying the precise circumstances of the case and the legal basis for the conviction. In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association disclosed that an appeal had been filed and said it would allow the judicial process to take its course rather than comment on the outcome in advance. The association has not, in the material available so far, set out the court, the charges or the sentence imposed, and those details remain unconfirmed.
"The Association believes that every individual has the right to freely choose, change or practise their religion or belief without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment," the statement said. The position places the case within a broader principle that CAN frames as the right of every citizen to decide on matters of faith without pressure from others or the state. CAN urged the relevant authorities to safeguard the rights of everyone involved and to ensure that the matter was handled in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
The association said it would continue monitoring the case and engage the authorities through appropriate legal and institutional channels rather than through public confrontation. This approach signals that CAN intends to work within the existing judicial and administrative framework while keeping the matter under review. It also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious backgrounds, a theme that runs through the statement as a reminder that the dispute is framed as a question of rights rather than of inter-religious hostility.
CAN said the reported case underscored the importance of protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen, including the freedom to choose and practise a religion. Reports circulating so far have not provided further details on the court proceedings, and the association has not yet established the full facts of the matter. Until the appeal is heard and the circumstances are verified, the central questions raised by the statement, namely whether the conviction was lawful and whether the conversion was voluntary, remain open.
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