Nigeria: Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, governor of Kano, is pushing through Sharia legislation in its entirety.

Alkari/Frankfurt/M. - 27 January 2004. Umaru Tori, a 45-year old father of three, has been sentenced to death by stoning. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with his 15-year old stepdaughter. Since 1999, twelve federal states of Nigeria have introduced sharia criminal law. In addition to stoning, sharia also prescribes punishments such as lashing and the amputation of feet or hands.

Umaru Tori's stepdaughter was sentenced to a "mere" 100 lashings, because she is still a minor. The sentence was passed by the High Sharia Court in Alkari, a town in Bauchi in Northern Nigeria. The defence has only until 29 January to file an appeal.

The governor of neighbouring Kano, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, announced that neither intimidation attempts, campaigns or blackmailing will stop his administration from pushing through Sharia legislation in its entirety. He called upon Islamic scholars to unite in disseminating Islam. Kano and Bauchi are two of the twelve Nigerian federal states which introduced Sharia criminal laws to their legislation. Opponents argue that the introduction of Sharia criminal legislation violates the federal constitution.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous state. At the same time, Nigeria is a military superpower on the African continent, and is seen as a key country in the attempt to spread sharia in Africa. Although the population is not predominantly Muslim, the country became a member of the Conference of Islamic States. ISHR is concerned that proponents of sharia will try to introduce it into the legislation of south-western Nigerian states, including Lagos with more than 10 million inhabitants.

International protest prevented several stoning executions

In the last two years ISHR successfully fought for Amina Lawal and Sufiya Huseini who were both sentenced to death by stoning. Other cases are still pending. So far, eight stoning verdicts are known. ISHR believes that the actual number is far higher. Amina Lawal's case was by far the best-known. Thanks to a wave of international protest, her life was saved. ISHR sent many appeals and collected thousands of signatures to help to save Amina Lawal's life. The signature campaign to abolish stoning as a form of punishment has so far been supported by 350,000 people and is continued. Western governments are encouraged to support an initiative within the framework of the United Nations to overcome stoning as a form of punishment.