Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist who was sentenced to 24 years in prison for blasphemy-related charges in 2022, has had his sentence reduced to five years on appeal.

According to Bala's lawyer, James Ibori, a panel of three judges in Kano state ruled that the original sentence was "excessive" and "against the provisions of the law".

It is unclear when Bala, who has been in prison for four years, is likely to be released.

His case sparked international outrage when he was arrested in 2020.

A group of Muslims had filed a petition to the authorities accusing Bala of posting uncomplimentary messages about Islam on social media.

He later pleaded guilty to all 18 charges and was sentenced to 24 years in prison by a high court in the Muslim-majority northern state of Kano.

There have been widespread calls for Bala's release and his detention has incited fears about freedom of speech in Nigeria.