A Borno State High Court judgment has contradicted claims circulating on social media that a Christian woman was imprisoned simply for converting a Muslim teenager to Christianity.
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment obtained by PLATFORM TIMES shows that the criminal proceedings focused on allegations that a minor was removed from her parents’ custody in Maiduguri, taken to Jos in Plateau State and enrolled in a Bible school without her family’s knowledge or consent.
The judgment was delivered by Justice A.B. Kumalia of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri Judicial Division, on May 5, 2026, following the prosecution of five defendants.
In a statement reacting to the controversy, the Foundation of Nupe Lawyers said the case had been misrepresented in some public discussions, arguing that the convictions were based on allegations involving the removal of a child from parental custody, her movement to another state and interference with her education.
According to the foundation, three defendants were convicted and sentenced to 14, 14 and 10 years’ imprisonment, respectively, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. The other two defendants were discharged for lack of credible evidence.
What the Borno court case involved
The teenager, identified as Aisha Kabiru Saleh, testified that she was 13 years old and a Junior Secondary School Three student at Yerwa Government Girls’ Secondary School when the events began.
She told the court that a teacher she knew as Uncle Sani considered her his best student and frequently bought items for her.
According to her testimony, the teacher invited her to Ngumati Super Store, bought things for her and later took her to the residence of the second defendant, Binta Mamman Sasuwa.
She said she was subsequently taken to Esther Simon’s residence, where she spent the night before attending church the following Sunday.
Aisha testified that she was given a Bible and later taken to Jos by the teacher and a pastor identified as Daniel.
She said she was enrolled at Ismail Haga Foundation, which she described as a Bible school for discipleship and training of new converts. She reportedly spent one year there before moving to Christian Faith Ministry for a diploma programme.
The teenager also told the court that she later became ill and underwent surgery to remove her appendix. After leaving the hospital, she became homesick and contacted her mother, who arranged for her return to Maiduguri.
Teenager’s account of another journey to Jos
In another part of her testimony, Aisha narrated how she allegedly travelled to Jos again with assistance from the first defendant, Lami Samuel Dawa.
She told the court that Lami gave her a mobile phone and SIM card and instructed her to meet at Baga Road.
According to the teenager, Lami also provided clothes belonging to her daughter, which she used to change out of her school uniform at a chemist shop before travelling.
Aisha alleged that Lami arranged a vehicle for the journey to Jos and gave her N3,000 for feeding.
She further testified that Lami later instructed her to alight in Bauchi because the search for her had intensified.
The teenager said she stayed with an unidentified man for three days before receiving another instruction to continue her journey after the search had reportedly subsided.
The Foundation of Nupe Lawyers questioned why the teenager was allegedly directed to stop in Bauchi rather than being returned to her parents in Borno State after it became clear that her family was searching for her.
Why three defendants were convicted
The foundation maintained that the central issue before the court was whether the defendants were involved in taking a minor away from her lawful parental custody without her family’s consent.
It also said the court’s findings included evidence attributed to admissions by the first defendant concerning the teenager’s removal and movement away from her parents.
The foundation stressed that the five defendants did not receive identical outcomes. Three were convicted and sentenced, while two were discharged because the evidence against them was not considered credible enough to sustain their prosecution.
It argued that the distinction was important in understanding the judgment and countering claims that the case was simply about punishing someone for facilitating a religious conversion.
Charges were under Borno state laws, foundation says
The Foundation of Nupe Lawyers also rejected the portrayal of the proceedings as a Shariah prosecution.
According to the organisation, the case was heard by the regular Borno State High Court under the state’s Penal Code Law 2023 and Child Protection Law 2021.
The charges listed by the foundation included conspiracy to abduct a child under Section 60(2) of the Penal Code Law, enticing a child away from parental custody under Section 210, and abduction and removal of a child from lawful parental custody under Section 24(2)(11) of the Child Protection Law.
Other charges related to depriving a child of education under Section 26(2)(b), interfering with her right to practise her religion under Section 9 of the Child Protection Law, and screening an offender under Section 131 of the Penal Code Law.
The foundation said these provisions placed the case within the framework of child protection and criminal law, rather than proceedings before a Shariah court.
Foundation calls for accurate reporting
The organisation urged Nigerians and media outlets to examine the Certified True Copy of the judgment before accepting or sharing claims about the case.
It warned that inaccurate reporting of sensitive matters involving religion, minors and the justice system could increase religious tension and threaten peaceful coexistence.
The foundation also emphasised that the convicted defendants retained their constitutional right to challenge the judgment through the appellate courts.
It said reports on the case should distinguish between allegations, testimony, judicial findings and public interpretations, rather than presenting the convictions as punishment simply for converting a Muslim teenager to Christianity.
