A Sharia Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, on Monday ordered that one Shuaibu Umar be given 80 strokes of cane for calling his sister-in-law, Suwaiba Abdulkadir, a prostitute.
Abdulkadir, who had filled a case of defamation against her brother in-law, told the court that Umar called her a prostitute after a misunderstanding they had.
” Shuaibu is my husband’s younger brother and we had a misunderstanding; we exchanged words and he called me a prostitute.
” I want this honourable court to grant me justice as what my brother-in-law said about me has tarnished my image,’’ she said.
The defendant, who did not deny calling his sister-in-law a prostitute, added that he spoke in anger and had no regrets.
“I was hurt when she called me a drug addict and a thief, that was why I called her a prostitute and I won’t go back on my words,’’ he said.
The judge, Malam Dahiru Lawal, ruled that Umar be given 80 lashes of cane after giving the defendant a chance to withdraw his statement.
“The defendant confirmed calling his sister-in-law a prostitute and is not ready to withdraw the statement; therefore, I, Dahiru Lawal, rule that Shuaibu Umar be given 80 strokes of cane.
“This is in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad which state that one cannot accuse a person of adultery or fornication except he presents four witnesses who have seen the activity.
” He is to receive 80 strokes of cane in place of the person he accused because he has defamed the person’s character,’’ the judge said. (NAN)