NIGERIA: FREED AFTER BEING WRONGFULLY SENT TO PRISON

David* in Nigeria was sent to prison for helping two Christian converts – BUT GOOD NEWS, his conviction has been overturned.

Adah* and Naomi* had grown up in a Muslim community and had recently encountered Jesus and decided to follow Him – but their joy was mixed with fear. Both women had received death threats from their own families, and knew they were in great danger. While approximately half of Nigerians are Christian, converting from Islam is extremely risky. 

The two courageous women came to David, hoping he could help them – and he was quick to respond. David and another church leader helped Adah and Naomi move away from the area, and away from the threats they faced.

David’s kind action enraged radical Muslims from the community – and the danger quickly turned on him instead. David and the church leader were tracked by a gang who abducted and tortured them.

Image: Illustrative image of David (source: ADF International)

Arrested on fabricated charges

When they were finally released, you might think that David’s ordeal was over. But the gang took David to the police, who arrested him on fabricated charges of kidnapping Adah and Naomi.

David was convicted during a three-day trial – he was given no legal representation and was still suffering from the injuries inflicted when he was tortured. He was sentenced to nine years in jail.

“Justice should not be an exception”

ADF International, and allied lawyers, intervened, demanding an appeal. In July 2025, a High Court judge overturned David’s wrongful conviction. Nigerian prosecutors failed to appear. They did not even try to defend their charges against David.

“The case is a powerful reminder of the urgent crisis facing Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria,” says Sean Nelson, Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International.

“Justice should not be an exception, but rather the norm for Christians in Nigeria,” said John Samuel*, Open Doors’ legal advisor for sub-Saharan Africa. “We commend the High Court’s decision to overturn the wrongful charging and conviction of David. Such rulings are important in restoring faith in the justice system.”

Please pray for religious freedom and justice in Nigeria, and join the African church in signing the Arise Africa petition, calling for protection, justice and restoration for Christians and other vulnerable religious minorities who face extreme violence, displacement and injustice.