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Nigerian Islamic Court Hands Down First Conviction Against Christian
KANO, Nigeria, Feb 7 (News Agencies) - An Islamic court in Nigeria on Wednesday handed down the first-ever conviction against a Christian, who was flogged in the northern Nigerian city of Kano.
Officials in Kano State, which introduced Islamic law known as Sharia' in November, had said it would apply only to Muslims.
Nevertheless, an Islamic court on Wednesday convicted Alto Danmama, 27, of impersonation and assault and ordered he be given 20 strokes of the cane. He was also fined 2,000 naira (about $17).
The court found him guilty of claiming to be a member of the Islamic law vigilante corps, known as "Hisbah", and assaulting another Christian, Victor Bitrus, a trader, for drinking.
Soon after the verdict was pronounced, Danmama was served 20 strokes of the cane in the over-crowded court, amid shouts of "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) by spectators, who paid the fine on his behalf.
Danmama and his friends late Monday beat up Bitrus at a police barracks on the outskirts of the city where the latter had gone to drink, the police prosecutor told the court.
A policeman who came to Bitrus' rescue, was also assaulted, the prosecutor said.
Islamic court judge Ustaz Habibuddeen said that although the case involved two Christians, the court had jurisdiction since both parties had agreed to be judged by Islamic law.
Sharia' came into force in Kano on November 26th.
Kano, dominated by Muslims, is the second largest commercial center in Nigeria after Lagos.
To date, nine northern states, including Kano, have introduced or declared plans to introduce the Sharia', though one has since partly rescinded.
Last month was the first anniversary of the introduction of Sharia' law which, among other things, bans alcohol and regulates the public behavior of men and women.
Of all the states, northwestern Zamfara, has been the most active in prosecuting the code.
Christian leaders in Zamfara say they have been affected by the law and say intimidation of the Christian minority in the region by conservative Muslims has increased since it was introduced.
Human rights organizations are also critical of the application of the code.
Early last year, authorities amputated the hand of a man convicted of being a cattle thief. Last month, they flogged 100 times a young girl who became pregnant before marriage. The girl claimed she was coerced and no man was prosecuted.
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