An 18-year-old Muslim who could face death if convicted...

An 18-year-old Muslim who could face death if convicted of adultery in northern Nigeria was released on bail after spending five weeks in jail with her new-born daughter, her lawyer said.
Hafsatu Abubakar was granted bail during a brief court appearance during which she held her month-old daughter, Aishatu, throughout the session. She is due back in court on January 22, the lawyer said.
"She was very happy," lawyer Abdulkadir Imam Ibrahim said by telephone from Sokoto. "Her mother was with her and one of her brothers stood for her (bail terms)."
Abubakar had been in jail since neighbours charged her with adultery under Muslim sharia law in mid-December 2001 after the birth of her daughter, her lawyer said.
Her case was adjourned because witnesses who were scheduled to testify against her were absent. They were summoned again to appear on January 22, Ibrahim said.
The court is awaiting evidence on whether Abubakar, a divorcee, was married when she became pregnant. She has told the court she was not married, her lawyer said.
If she was married she would face death by stoning if convicted of adultery. If not, she could be found guilty of fornication and liable to 100 lashes, Ibrahim said.