Women bag over 5 yrs in jail for disrespecting Quran; defence lawyer kicks

The Zamfara State Upper Shari’a court in Guasu has sentenced three women to five and half years in prison for dishonoring the Quran.

Rani Bello, Hazira Bello and Hafsatu Isah who found guilty for three offences in accordance with sections 122,123, and 287 of Zamfara State Shari’a penal code.

The punishment is six months’ imprisonment, two years ‘imprisonment and three years’ imprisonment respectively.

The khadi, however, said they have the right to appeal to the Sharia Court of Appeal within 14 days.

The Khadi, Garba Sahabi Gusau said the court ruled based on the evidence and witnesses presented before it as well as the inability of the accused persons and their council to produce witnesses of protection against the court charges.

When interviewed shortly after the court judgement, the counsel to the accused persons, Jamilu Ashafa said they would proceed to the Shari’a court of appeal as granted.

According to Ashafa, the judgement delivered was contrary to the Islamic legal system.

He said the five male witnesses presented before the Shari’a court were not sufficient to pronounce judgement looking at the provision of the Islamic shari’a.

Zamfara was among the northern states where te Sharia system of law operates alongside the regular court.