A Christian man in Nigeria has been freed after a High Court overturned his wrongful conviction, following months of torture, imprisonment, and injustice.
Earlier this year, David, whose name has been changed for security reasons, was sentenced to nine years in prison after being falsely accused of kidnapping two adult women who had converted to Christianity.
In reality, he had helped them relocate to safety after they received death threats from their own community and families for leaving Islam. His three-day trial was rushed and conducted without legal representation.
ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group that supported David’s appeal, welcomed the court’s ruling. Sean Nelson, legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, said, “This case is a powerful reminder of the urgent crisis facing Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria. David was tortured, prosecuted, and imprisoned simply for helping a woman escape violence because of her faith. We welcome the court’s decision in this case and pray that others will never have to face what David went through.”
David was one of two church leaders arrested for assisting Adah* and Naomi*, two adult women who chose to follow Christ and faced threats of violence and death in their community. Militants reportedly detained and tortured both men before handing them over to authorities. While the second leader, Pastor Ezekiel*, was later released without charge, David was prosecuted and convicted without due process.
The recent High Court ruling fully quashed David’s conviction and ordered the return of the fine he had been forced to pay. The state did not appear in court to defend the original prosecution.
Speaking after his release, David said he found strength in the word of God during the ordeal.
“Despite the persecution in my community, I know that I have everlasting life,” he said. “This is our encouragement. My community and I, in the Christian faith, rejoice on account of the assurance of the Word of God. This is our confidence and peace.”
According to persecution watchdog Open Doors, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined. Jihadist violence continues to escalate, with groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants targeting Christians through brutal attacks, abductions, and the destruction of churches and homes.
*Names changed for security reasons
