Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative...

Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) appealed the death sentence passed on Amina Lawal by a Katsina Sharia Court, for having a child out of wedlock. WRAPA is a non-governmental organisation founded by Justice Fati Abubakar, wife of the immediate past Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to advance and protect women's rights. A statement from WRAPA's secretary general, Hajiya Saudat Mahdi, also disclosed that a copy of the judgement of the Upper Sharia Court was being obtained for study and filing of the grounds of appeal. The judgement of the Lower Shari'ah Court in Bakori was upheld by the Upper Sharia Court in Funtua, Katsina State, on August 19, 2002, which affirmed the sentence of stoning Amina to death on adultery charge. WRAPA said it was not satisfied with the Upper Sharia Court judgement, because it did not address a lot of the issues raised in the appeal.