A Nigerian woman identified as “Sarah” secured a court ruling in her favor after she was reportedly detained and beaten for converting from Islam to Christianity, according to Brad Brandon, CEO of the advocacy group Across Nigeria. Brandon described the case in a CBN News interview following his recent trip to the country.
A rare win amid alleged abuse
Brandon said a judge found that Sarah’s rights were impeded after her reported arrest and mistreatment tied to her conversion. He did not name the court or provide a date for the ruling during the interview.
Rescuers now in legal jeopardy
According to Brandon, Sarah fled her community after feeling threatened by relatives and found refuge with a Christian family. He said her siblings had allegedly tried to force her into a marriage before she escaped. The family who sheltered her is now facing kidnapping accusations and ongoing legal challenges, Brandon told CBN News.
Broader pattern alleged in northern states
Brandon framed the case as part of a wider pattern: “This happens, I mean … hundreds of times — thousands of times — a year in northern Nigeria. … 12 of the northern Nigerian states are controlled by Sharia law.” He also claimed that in many families, conversion to Christianity is treated as a crime, adding, “Your family can either kill you, or they can hire somebody to kill you.”
