Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian freethinker and humanist, recently regained his freedom after being jailed for blasphemy. In an exclusive interview with Solomon Odeniyi, Bala shares the harrowing experiences of his incarceration, his journey to survival, and his vision for a secular Nigeria.

Bala’s troubles began with a Facebook post that criticized religious practices. Reflecting on the events, he explained, “The background to this began in 2014 when my family sent me to a psychiatric hospital for leaving their religion. They couldn’t accept it and assumed I must be mentally ill. In their view, leaving the religion warranted death, and they followed Sharia protocol to have me evaluated.”

Bala maintained that his posts were not insults but a plea for tolerance and justice, as well as a defense of his right to live freely outside the religion of his birth. “I was exercising my right to free speech, but my government used resources to abduct me and facilitate plans for my death,” he lamented.

Despite the injustice he faced, Bala chose to plead guilty. Explaining his decision, he said, “I pleaded guilty because I knew my life was in danger. They wanted to use a security breach to justify my death. Pleading guilty transferred me to federal custody, which was a safer option.”

He revealed that the government’s intention was never to give him a fair trial but to create a situation where he would not survive. “My plea was a strategy to ensure my survival,” he added.

Bala’s time in Kano and Kuje prisons was fraught with challenges. In Kano, he was housed with over 2,000 inmates, many of whom posed a threat to his life due to their extreme beliefs. “I lost over 20kg within months, developed health issues, and witnessed the deaths of inmates due to neglect,” he recounted.

Despite his hardships, Bala worked to improve conditions for others. He spearheaded initiatives to establish a primary and secondary school within the prison and advocated for the protection of young inmates from abuse.

Bala criticized the Nigerian government for failing to uphold freedom of speech and for enabling a system that prioritizes religious sentiments over constitutional rights. “Nigeria doesn’t protect its citizens. Half of the country doesn’t understand freedom, and the constitution means little to them,” he said.

He emphasized the need for a secular government that treats all citizens equally, regardless of religious affiliations. “Freedom of speech must be upheld, and the government must protect these rights. If a nation doesn’t protect its people equally, it ceases to represent them,” he stated.

Now free, Bala plans to travel abroad for medical treatment and further education but remains committed to Nigeria. “I’ll return to continue advocating for secularism and human rights. Nigeria is my home, and I’ll fight for its betterment,” he said.

Bala expressed no regrets about his journey, reaffirming his commitment to live authentically. “I don’t regret living as a secularist and humanist. Life is about living freely and fully, regardless of the cost,” he asserted.

His experience has only strengthened his resolve to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive Nigeria. “Your life is your responsibility. Despite the challenges, we must live with kindness and freedom,” he concluded.

Bala’s story stands as a testament to resilience and the unyielding pursuit of justice and freedom in the face of systemic oppression.

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