An Islamic court in the Nigerian state of Katsina this month postponed the execution by stoning of Amina Lawal, 30, until at least January 2004.
Lawal was convicted of adultery after she gave birth to a baby girl more than nine months after divorcing her husband. Under the extremist Islamist law embrace by some states in Nigeria, that is prima facie evidence of adultery which is punishable by death.
The sentence was delayed to allow Lawal to finish weaning her baby, at which time the court will again take up her case. Nigeria’s national government, however, has said such punishments are unconstitutional and it is unclear what status the Islamic laws will have when 2004 comes around.
As is common with these cases, the man that Lawal claimed was the father was acquitted of an adultery charge due to lack of evidence. Under this legal system, evidence of adultery generally requires testimony in open court from at least three eye witnesses who are also male Muslims.
Sources:
Islamic court delays execution. Glenn McKenzie, Associated Press, June 3, 2002.
Mother faces stoning
. Samson Mulugeta, Bradenton Herald, May 1, 2002.