CAN Reacts to Conviction of Christian Woman After Conversion From Islam in Borno
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed concern over the conviction and imprisonment of a Christian woman, Lami Samuel Dawa, in Borno State following a controversial case involving the conversion of an adult woman from Islam to Christianity.
The Christian body said the development raises important questions about religious freedom, constitutional rights and the protection of individuals who choose to change or practise a religion of their choice in Nigeria.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, disclosed the association’s position in a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following reports about Dawa’s conviction and continued imprisonment.
The association said it was particularly concerned by reports suggesting that the circumstances surrounding the case involved the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity.
However, CAN clarified that the precise facts of the case and the legal basis for the conviction were still being verified.
The Christian body also disclosed that an appeal had been filed against the judgment, stressing that it remained committed to allowing the judicial process to run its course.
Despite acknowledging the ongoing legal process, CAN maintained that the case raises significant questions about the protection of religious freedom and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The development has attracted attention from religious organisations, human rights advocates and other stakeholders concerned about freedom of worship and the relationship between religious practices and the country’s legal system.
CAN Speaks on Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights
In its reaction, CAN emphasised that every individual should have the freedom to choose, change or practise a religion without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment.
The association maintained that freedom of religion is an important fundamental right that must be protected regardless of an individual’s religious background.
According to the Christian body, the circumstances surrounding Dawa’s conviction require attention, particularly because reports about the case have connected it to the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity.
CAN, however, avoided making a final judgment on the legal issues involved, noting that the precise circumstances and legal basis of the conviction were still being examined.
The association stated that the filing of an appeal meant the matter was now subject to further judicial consideration.
It also called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of all parties involved were protected and that justice was administered in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
CAN further pledged to monitor developments surrounding the case and engage relevant authorities through appropriate legal and institutional channels.
The association reiterated its commitment to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious backgrounds, stressing that the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen deserved protection.
Who Is Lami Samuel Dawa?
Lami Samuel Dawa is the Christian woman whose conviction and imprisonment in Borno State have attracted attention from religious organisations and human rights advocates.
She was reportedly sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment by a Borno State High Court in a judgment delivered on May 5, 2026.
The case reportedly originated from allegations involving a woman who changed her religious affiliation from Islam to Christianity.
Reports surrounding the proceedings have generated different interpretations of the circumstances that led to Dawa’s conviction.
While some accounts have focused on the religious conversion, the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria has cautioned against presenting the judgment as a case in which Dawa was convicted simply for preaching Christianity or converting someone.
According to Ephraim Yidawi, Chairman of the Maiduguri branch of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, the allegations considered during the trial included conspiracy to abduct a child, enticing a child to leave parental custody, removing a child from the lawful custody of her parents, depriving the child of access to education and interfering with her religious practice and conversion.
Yidawi explained that the court convicted Dawa on the charge relating to depriving a parent of the lawful custody of his child.
He also disclosed that four other defendants who were tried alongside her were discharged and acquitted.
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship, which represented Dawa and the other defendants during the trial, confirmed that an appeal had been initiated against the judgment.
These details are important in understanding the case because they distinguish the allegations considered by the court from the wider religious freedom questions that have emerged following the conviction.
Borno High Court Sentences Dawa to 14 Years in Prison
The conviction of Dawa dates back to May 5, 2026, when a Borno State High Court delivered its judgment in the case.
The court reportedly sentenced her to 14 years’ imprisonment following proceedings involving allegations connected to a child being removed from parental custody and disputes surrounding religious practice.
Justice A. B. Kumdila was identified in reports as the judge who delivered the judgment.
The sentence has subsequently attracted attention because of the religious circumstances associated with the case and concerns raised by Christian organisations.
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria has provided additional information about the charges, explaining that the conviction related to the issue of parental custody rather than simply the act of preaching or religious conversion.
This distinction has become central to discussions surrounding the matter.
While CAN has expressed concern about the protection of religious freedom, it has also acknowledged that the precise facts and legal basis of the conviction are still being verified.
The appeal is expected to provide another opportunity for the legal arguments surrounding the judgment to be examined.
Appeal Filed Against the Conviction
One of the major developments surrounding the case is the filing of an appeal against Dawa’s conviction.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh confirmed that an appeal had been filed, adding that the association was committed to allowing the judicial process to take its course.
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria had also confirmed that an appeal was initiated against the judgment.
The development means the conviction remains subject to further judicial proceedings.
An appeal allows a higher court to examine issues raised against a lower court’s judgment, including questions concerning the interpretation of the law and the handling of the proceedings.
However, the filing of an appeal does not automatically overturn a conviction or guarantee the release of a person serving a prison sentence.
The outcome will depend on the arguments presented and the decision of the appellate court.
For Dawa, the appeal represents an important stage in the legal process surrounding her imprisonment.
For CAN and other concerned organisations, the proceedings also provide an opportunity to seek clarification on the issues of religious freedom and the protection of fundamental rights raised by the case.
Why the Case Has Raised Religious Freedom Concerns
The controversy surrounding Dawa’s conviction has brought renewed attention to the right of Nigerians to choose and practise their religion.
Nigeria is a religiously diverse country with significant Christian and Muslim populations, alongside citizens who practise other religions or hold different beliefs.
Freedom of religion is protected under Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The constitutional provision protects the right of individuals to change their religion or belief and to manifest their religion through worship, teaching, practice and observance, subject to the applicable constitutional framework.
This protection makes religious freedom an important issue in discussions surrounding the Borno case.
CAN has argued that individuals should be able to choose, change or practise their religion without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment.
However, the case also involves allegations relating to parental custody and a child’s welfare, which must be considered separately from the general right of an adult to choose a religion.
The distinction is important because the freedom of an adult to change religious beliefs and the legal responsibilities surrounding the custody, education and welfare of a child are separate questions.
The appeal will therefore be significant in determining the legal issues arising from the conviction.
Christian Lawyers Caution Against Misrepresenting the Case
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria has also provided clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Dawa’s conviction.
Ephraim Yidawi, Chairman of the Maiduguri branch of the organisation, warned against describing the case as one in which the woman was convicted simply because she preached to another person or facilitated a conversion to Christianity.
According to him, the allegations before the court included several issues involving parental custody, the movement of a child and access to education.
He explained that Dawa was convicted on the charge relating to depriving a parent of the lawful custody of his child.
The other four defendants involved in the proceedings were reportedly discharged and acquitted.
The organisation’s clarification is significant because different accounts of the case have circulated, with some focusing primarily on religious conversion while others have highlighted the allegations considered during the trial.
For an accurate understanding of the development, it is important to distinguish between the allegations, the specific count on which Dawa was convicted and the wider constitutional questions now being raised.
The legal arguments surrounding the case are expected to receive further consideration through the appeal process.
PFN Urges Christians to Exercise Restraint
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has also urged Christians to exercise restraint when discussing the conviction.
The organisation advised against drawing conclusions without examining the court proceedings and the details surrounding the case.
Its position reflects the importance of obtaining accurate information before making public claims about a sensitive legal matter involving religion, parental custody and individual rights.
The call for restraint comes amid increasing public interest in the case following CAN’s statement.
Religious organisations have an important role in defending the rights of their members and promoting freedom of worship.
However, accurate reporting and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings are equally important, particularly where the full legal record has not been made publicly available.
The PFN’s position also highlights the need for religious leaders and members of the public to avoid inflammatory statements that could deepen religious tensions.
What Nigeria’s Constitution Says About Freedom of Religion
The issue of religious freedom is central to the concerns raised by CAN.
Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution provides protection for freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The provision recognises the right of individuals to hold religious beliefs, practise their faith and change their religion or belief.
It also protects the right to manifest and propagate religious beliefs through worship, teaching, practice and observance, subject to the constitutional provisions.
This right is particularly important in a country where religious identity plays a significant role in the lives of many citizens.
However, constitutional rights operate alongside other legal protections and responsibilities.
For instance, laws relating to child protection, parental custody, education and the welfare of minors remain relevant where allegations involve children.
This means that a legal dispute involving religious conversion and parental custody may require the courts to examine different constitutional and statutory provisions.
The Borno case has therefore generated questions about how these different legal interests were considered during the trial.
CAN’s position is that religious freedom and the fundamental rights of all parties must be protected.
The association has called for the matter to be handled in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
The Importance of Protecting Religious Tolerance in Nigeria
Nigeria’s religious diversity makes peaceful coexistence an important national concern.
Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths live and work together in different communities across the country.
Although religious differences have occasionally contributed to tensions and conflicts, many communities continue to maintain relationships through trade, education, family connections and other forms of social interaction.
Organisations such as CAN and other religious bodies frequently emphasise the importance of protecting the rights of citizens regardless of their beliefs.
The controversy surrounding Dawa’s conviction has therefore renewed discussions about how religious freedom can be protected without undermining other legal responsibilities.
For a country with a diverse religious population, the ability of individuals to hold different beliefs without intimidation is an important part of peaceful coexistence.
The protection of religious freedom also requires public institutions to handle disputes fairly and transparently.
Where allegations involve religious conversion, parental custody or the welfare of a child, the facts must be established through due legal process rather than assumptions based on religious identity.
This is particularly important in preventing misinformation and ensuring that sensitive cases do not become sources of unnecessary hostility between communities.
CAN Calls on Authorities to Protect the Rights of All Parties
Beyond expressing concern about Dawa’s imprisonment, CAN has called on relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of everyone involved in the case are protected.
The association emphasised that justice should be administered in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Its position reflects the need to balance the protection of individual religious freedom with the legal rights and welfare interests of other parties involved in the proceedings.
CAN also disclosed that it would continue monitoring developments and engage relevant authorities through appropriate legal and institutional channels.
The association’s involvement is expected to keep attention focused on the legal proceedings and the constitutional questions arising from the case.
However, CAN has maintained that it respects the judicial process and is prepared to allow the appeal to proceed.
The development also places attention on the importance of ensuring that individuals involved in sensitive religious disputes receive fair treatment under the law.
What Happens Next in the Borno Case?
The next major development will be the consideration of the appeal filed against Dawa’s conviction.
The appellate process will provide an opportunity for the legal arguments surrounding the judgment to be examined by a higher court.
The appeal could address issues relating to the evidence presented during the trial, the interpretation of the relevant laws and the specific grounds on which Dawa was convicted.
The legal outcome will depend on the court’s assessment of the arguments and the applicable law.
Meanwhile, CAN has pledged to continue monitoring the matter and engaging relevant authorities.
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria has also confirmed its involvement in the legal process.
As the case progresses, further details from the court proceedings may help clarify the circumstances surrounding the conviction and the issues raised by the parties.
For now, the reported appeal means the matter remains an active legal issue rather than a concluded dispute.
Conclusion
The Christian Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the conviction and imprisonment of Lami Samuel Dawa, a Christian woman sentenced to 14 years in prison by a Borno State High Court.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said the case raises important questions about religious freedom and the fundamental rights guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly following reports linking the circumstances to the conversion of an adult woman from Islam to Christianity.
The association, however, acknowledged that the precise facts and legal basis of the conviction were still being verified.
An appeal has reportedly been filed against the judgment, while the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria has clarified that the conviction concerned a charge relating to parental custody rather than simply preaching or religious conversion.
CAN has called on the relevant authorities to protect the rights of all parties and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.
The association has also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious backgrounds.
As the appeal proceeds, attention will remain on the legal questions surrounding the conviction, the protection of religious freedom and the rights of everyone involved in the case.
Naijamixed will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information emerges from the legal proceedings.
