BNW

B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News

News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 September, 2004, 12:35 GMT 13:35 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Languishing in a Sharia jail Yahaya Kakale, 23-year-old trader from Kebbi State in northern Nigeria, was arrested at a roadblock by soldiers on suspicion of robbery in July 2001. Still in prison, he told Human Rights Watch his experiences: The Qur'an says if any Muslim steals, his hand should be cut off Four soldiers started flogging me. They slapped me and kicked me with their boots. I had injuries on my ankles and wrists and head, and I was bleeding from my nose. [At the police station] the police handcuffed me on my legs and arms. They raised me up on an iron rod, hung me and began to torture me. They hit me with a baton and pressed the handcuff into my wrists. It felt as if my hands would fall off. There were about five policemen, including the divisional police officer. He didn't beat me but he shook the handcuffs on me very hard. He said, 'You must tell us you are the one who took the properties.' I felt my life was in danger so I said I was the one who took them. Few strokes The investigating police officer (IPO) said they would take me to the Sharia court at Jega and that if the judge asks me, I should explain exactly what I told the IPO in my statement so that the judge would sympathise and release me with just a few strokes. [The judge] asked me if I stole the properties. I said yes. He asked if I was a Muslim. I said yes. He said: 'The Qur'an says if any Muslim steals, his hand should be cut off.' He didn't ask me if I wanted a lawyer. The first hearing in court lasted only 30 minutes. I didn't know the law After the first trial, I appealed [in 2002]. One of my uncles found a lawyer for me. I haven't appealed because I don't have any more money [In court] I told them the police had tortured me and advised me to tell the judge I did it so that they would release me, but I had not known they would sentence me to amputation. I said I didn't know the law, which was why I accepted. While I was in prison, some inmates found the place in the Qur'an where it says a forced confession can be withdrawn. I gave it to my lawyer but he rejected it. The judge didn't allow me to talk. He said the court case had ended because the lawyer couldn't produce the verses and the court of appeal accepted the judgment of the first court. The judge said: 'We can't cut your hand until the governor signs, so they will take you back to prison.' He said: ' If you are not satisfied, you can appeal to the court in Kaduna.' I haven't appealed because I don't have any more money. My uncle has no money left. I don't have a lawyer anymore. A further appeal has been filed on Mr Kakale's behalf to the Federal Court of Appeal in Kaduna. But in July 2004, no date had been set for the hearing and Mr Kakale was unaware of the development until contacted by Human Rights Watch. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES Select'Killers' guarding Sudan refugeesSharia 'used in Nigeria politics'Mauritania 'on brink of famine'Libya hails US sanctions moveMurder rates fall in South AfricaUN seeks unity on Iraq and DarfurCall for combined HIV and TB careHalliburton hit with Nigeria banRwanda story takes Toronto prizeWeah considers political careerTroops 'stole Ivorian bank cash'Militia attack DR Congo townZimbabwe court drops paper case'Anti-terror' detainee goes freeReligious persecution in EritreaLibya's talent and verve on displayComoros seeks sweet smell of successWhy are the locusts out of control?Do you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Sharia 'used in Nigeria politics' 21 Sep 04  |  Africa 'New Sharia law' in Nigeria state 28 Apr 04  |  Africa Q&A: Sharia in Zamfara state 02 Sep 03  |  Africa Analysis: Nigeria's Sharia split 07 Jan 03  |  Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Human Rights Watch Nigerian Presidency The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW 'Killers' guarding Sudan refugees Sharia 'used in Nigeria politics' Mauritania 'on brink of famine' Libya hails US sanctions move News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

	BNW News
Voice of Biafra | Biafra World | Biafra Online | Biafra Web | MASSOB | Biafra Forum | BLM | Biafra Consortium
	© 2001 BNW BiafraNigeriaWorld  Privacy Policy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by ACENetwork ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Axiom PSI Yam Festival Series, Iri Ji Nd'Igbo the Kola-Nut Series,Nigeria Masterweb