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Witness History: How a young mother was saved from death by stoning

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How a young mother was saved from death by stoning

06/02/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, How a young mother was saved from death by stoning

In 2003, human rights lawyer Hauwa Ibrahim defended Amina Lawal from death by stoning

Amina Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning for having a child out of wedlock. Human rights lawyer Hauwa Ibrahim found an unusual way to defend her.

In March 2002, a young Nigerian Muslim woman was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery and conceiving a child out of wedlock. 

Amina Lawal’s case attracted huge international attention and highlighted divisions between the Christian and Muslim regions in the country. 

Hauwa Ibrahim, one of the first female lawyers from northern Nigeria, defended Amina and helped her secure an acquittal. 

The case would have very personal consequences for Hauwa who went on to adopt Amina’s daughter. 

She tells Vicky Farncombe how the ground-breaking case also changed attitudes in Nigeria towards defendants from poor, rural communities.

(Photo: Hauwa Ibrahim (left) with Amina Lawal, Credit: Getty Images)

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