Islamic Court in Nigeria Halts a Death Sentence

DUTSE, Nigeria, AUG. 20, 2003 (Zenit.org).- An Islamic court reversed a sentence of death by stoning of a man accused of raping a 9-year-old girl.

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The Islamic Court of Appeals of this northern Nigerian city accepted the defense’s arguments that Sarimu Mohammed, 54, was mentally ill. The court ordered him sent to a psychiatric hospital.

Since the 1999 introduction of Islamic law in 12 northern states, there have been no executions by stoning. Amina Lawal is waiting to make a second appeal against the death sentence imposed on her. The 32-year-old single mother was convicted last year of having sex outside marriage.

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