In a recent northern Nigerian court ruling, an 18-year-old woman who converted to Christianity received legal protection against life-threatening family reactions, underscoring the inherent right to switch religions, from Islam in this case.

Facing lethal threats from her father and siblings after her conversion, Mary Adebayo, a pseudonym for her protection, was assisted by her mother to find sanctuary in a Christian enclave. Eventually, they sought a legal restraining order for her safety.

ADF International, a human rights advocacy group, reported that the court issued a permanent injunction against the woman’s father and brothers.

The court document decreed: “[T]he accused are legally barred from endangering the woman’s life because of her switch from Islam to Christianity, or violating her fundamental right to religious choice.”

No parties contested the court’s decision.

ADF International’s Legal Advisor, Sean Nelson, remarked, “It’s heartening to see Mary’s safety ensured and her basic right to convert from Islam to Christianity upheld by the court. We hope this verdict offers solace to others undergoing similar threats for their newfound faith in Christ.”

“Every individual deserves the freedom to practice or convert to any religion without the fear of persecution,” Nelson further commented. “Regrettably, in Nigeria, many who convert from Islam to Christianity are subjected to threats and violence, frequently from their own families.”

Highlighting the intensifying danger, a 25-year-old Christian student in the northwestern region of Nigeria was brutally killed by her Muslim peers over an alleged blasphemous message.

Additionally, a Christian individual, Rhoda Ya’u Jatau, was detained for several months in 2022 due to allegations of blasphemy related to a social media post denouncing the student’s death.

Open Doors, a global watchdog, reveals that Nigeria has a concerning record with 90% of the Christian fatalities globally recorded there. Especially converts like Mary face considerable societal opposition.

Nigeria’s restrictive religious laws, inclusive of blasphemy regulations, disproportionately affect minority religious groups, as pointed out by ADF International.

The U.S. State Department’s latest Religious Freedom Report highlighted a surge in fatal confrontations impacting both Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.

These violent incidents, especially in Nigeria’s northern regions, have increased concerns. In a tragic event last year, gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state, causing numerous fatalities.

While Nigerian Christians and human rights advocates argue that violence against predominantly Christian communities has reached alarming levels, the Nigerian government attributes these to age-old farmer-herder disputes. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department’s data indicates that a minimal percentage of these attacks are specifically aimed at Christians.