Two Nigerian Women Are to Die by Stoning

Islamic courts in Nigeria sentenced two women to death by stoning for having sex out of wedlock, but two men whom they identified as sexual partners were acquitted for lack of evidence, authorities said Tuesday.

Both sentences, which were imposed within the last month in the northern state of Bauchi, must be confirmed by the state governor before being carried out, and they are open to appeal.

Nobody has been lawfully stoned to death in Nigeria since 12 northern states introduced Islamic law, or Sharia, in 2000, because all such sentences have been overturned on appeal.

A 29-year-old woman, Hajara Ibrahim, was sentenced Oct. 5 in the Tafawa Balewa area of the state, having confessed to having sex with 35-year-old Dauda Sani and becoming pregnant, the court said in a statement.

“The court has, however, handed the woman convict to her guardian to take care of her until she delivers the baby before the sentence will be executed by stoning her to death according to the provisions of the Sharia penal code,” the court said.

“There is no evidence to link him with the allegation and consequently the court acquitted him for lack of evidence.”

The second woman, 26-year-old Daso Adamu, was handed the same sentence Sept. 15 in the Ningi area of Bauchi state, Judge Ahmed Musa Wurojamel said.

Adamu admitted having sex with a 35-year-old man 12 times, the judge added.

Sharia judgments often go unreported in Nigeria because they are handed down in small, remote courthouses and local media interest is limited. The adoption of Sharia in northern Nigeria has polarized Africa’s most populous nation.