Borno Christian Woman Jailed 14 Years For Sharing Her Faith, Family Flees Over Threats
A Borno State court has sentenced a Christian mother, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, to 14 years imprisonment for sharing her Christian faith with an adult woman who told the court she converted to Christianity of her own free will.
The judgement, delivered by Hon. Justice A. B. Kumdila at Borno State High Court, has sparked outrage among human rights advocates who say it breaches Section 38 of Nigeria’s Constitution which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change religion.
While Dawa remains in custody in Maiduguri, her husband, who was previously detained in connection with case, now lives in hiding after receiving death threats from Islamic extremists in Gwoza.
“My wife, who committed no crime, is in prison,” he told Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative.
Advocates say family has been left exposed to persistent threats from local extremists, deepening humanitarian crisis.
According to Truth Nigeria report published October 14, 2026, and certified copy of judgement obtained by its reporters, Liyatu Samuel Dawa, a Christian woman from Gwoza area of Borno State, shared her faith and advised an adult Muslim woman about Christianity.
The adult woman subsequently chose to become Christian.
In court, she testified clearly and without coercion that she acted entirely of her own free will and that no one forced, induced or cheated her.
Despite that testimony, prosecutors charged Dawa under Section 210 of Penal Code Laws of Borno State — a provision which concerns depriving a parent of lawful custody of a child — a charge legal analysts say has no application to sharing faith with consenting adult.
During sentencing, Dawa pleaded for leniency: “I’m a mother. I did not intend to cheat the victim. I only advised her. That is all.”
Justice Kumdila rejected plea and imposed maximum penalty: 14 years imprisonment on Count 1, with no option of fine.
Gwoza, near Cameroon border, is epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency. Christian population there has fallen from estimated 30% pre-2009 to less than 5% today due to displacement.
Gavvs Katiya, Chairman of Gwoza Refugees Resettlement Initiative, told Truth Nigeria: “The ruling weaponised her Christian conviction and imposed punishment far beyond anything justified by Nigerian law.”
