In a landmark decision dated August 4, 2025, the High Court in Northern Nigeria fully overturned the wrongful kidnapping conviction of a Christian man, codenamed “David” for protection, who endured weeks of torture and imprisonment after assisting two adult women fleeing violent persecution for converting to Christianity . The three‑day trial in early 2024 took place without legal representation, ripping away his dignity and sentencing him to nine years in prison plus a fine. Remarkably, during the appeal the state prosecutor failed to appear in court, prompting the court not only to quash the verdict outright but also to order reimbursement of the unlawfully imposed fine.

David had acted to protect two convert women facing death threats from their families and community. For this act of mercy, militants kidnapped and tortured him before handing him over to police. A fellow church leader, Ezekiel, was released early; David alone was wrongly convicted, until the appeal championed by ADF International and allied counsel secured his release and justice  .

At the hearing, ADF legal counsel Sean Nelson emphasized that David’s ordeal exposes a systemic failure in protecting religious minorities: “This case is a powerful reminder of the urgent crisis facing Christians. Protections for religious freedom must increase within Northern Nigeria”. In the courtroom, prosecutors offered no defense; as a result, the judge found the conviction void and unjust.

Nigeria consistently ranks among the most dangerous places for Christians globally, with estimates of over 7,000 Christians killed in Northern Nigeria in 2023 alone. David’s case is emblematic, aid workers and community helpers are increasingly targeted under accusations of kidnapping. In December 2024, Rhoda Jatau, a mother of five was fully acquitted of blasphemy thanks to similar legal advocacy. Earlier, an evangelical couple in Kaduna was released in April 2024 after three years behind bars on entirely spurious charges.

This victory sends a powerful message; when the state fails to uphold fair trial rights and persecutes those who act in faith, legal recourse can still prevail, but only when supported by robust advocacy and recognition of religious freedom as a fundamental right. It is hoped that David’s ordeal and release will inspire both legal reforms and greater protections for religious minorities across Nigeria.

Source - ADF International and Google