AFRICA/NIGERIA - AMINA WINS HER APPEAL: “THIS IS A GOOD DAY FOR NIGERIA” SAYS CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF JOS

Lagos (Fides Service) – “This is a good day for Nigeria” Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos told Fides Service, after Amina, a northern Nigerian woman sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery, won her appeal against the verdict on a majority decision. Four out of five judges rejected her conviction, saying she was not given "ample opportunity to defend herself". “As Bishops we have always spoken out against the death penalty - says Catholic Archbishop, adding - I think most Nigerians are against a return to such barbarous practices as stoning”.
In March 2002 Amina had been found guilty under the Sharia (Islamic criminal law) which has been introduced into 12 northern states over the last three years. Later another court confirmed the verdict. LM (Fides Service 25/9/2003 EM lines 13 Words: 118)