Christian mother in Nigeria cleared of blasphemy charges after a long legal battle, according to a report.

A Nigerian Christian has been cleared of all charges after spending 19 months in prison for blasphemy.

In May 2022, Rhoda Jatau, a mother of five, was arrested for allegedly sharing a "blasphemous" video on WhatsApp that criticized the murder of Nigerian Christian college student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, who had been stoned to death by her Muslim classmates a week prior.

Jatau was charged with public disturbance and religious insult for sharing a blasphemous video in her neighborhood, and spent 19 months in prison before being released on bail last December.

Jatau stated that it was challenging for her because she missed her children while in prison, and she was only permitted to have her lawyer as a visitor.

This month, a Bauchi State judge cleared Jatau of any wrongdoing, and ADF International, which supported her legal defense, shared this information with Planet Chronicle Digital.

The religious freedom group hailed her acquittal as a victory.

"Rhoda Jatau has been acquitted and the ordeal she has endured for far too long is now over, said Sean Nelson, legal counsel for ADF International. No person should be punished for peaceful expression, and we are grateful that Rhoda has been fully acquitted. However, Rhoda should never have been arrested in the first place. We will continue to seek justice for Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria who are unjustly imprisoned and plagued by the draconian blasphemy laws."

An anonymous Nigerian ADF International allied lawyer who served as lead counsel on Jatau's case also shared a statement.

"Rhoda has been acquitted of any wrongdoing after a two-and-a-half-year ordeal, including 19 long months in prison. We thank all who have been praying for Rhoda and ask for your continued prayers as Nigerians continue to push back against persecution."

Jatau faced up to five years in prison if convicted.

Blasphemy laws pose a threat to human rights and religious freedom, as evidenced by the international outcry sparked by Jatau's case.

One of the twelve states in northern Nigeria that has adopted Sharia Law is predominantly Muslim Bauchi state.

Nigeria was labeled as the most dangerous country for Christians globally by ADF International, with more Christians being killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined.

Last year, 4,998 Christians were killed in Nigeria due to their faith, according to Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors U.S., as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

One year after the estimated 200 Christians were slaughtered by jihadists in Plateau, Nigeria, Jatau was acquitted.