Sokoto — The Sharia Court of Appeal in Sokoto has ordered for the stay of execution on the death sentence passed on the Sokoto adulteress, Malama Safiya Husseini of Tungartudu village of Gwadabawa local government area by the Upper Sharia Court.

The Court of Appeal, headed by the state Acting Grand Khadi, Muhammed Bello Silame, and three other Khadis, made up of Muhammadu Bello Rabah, Abdulkadir Saidu Tamuwal and Mainasara Aliyu Sifawa, after reviewing the case, ordered the stay of execution until the determination of Safiya's appeal.

Speaking to the press at the weekend on behalf of the judge, Khadi Muhammed Bello explained that in line with section 23 of the Sokoto State Sharia Penal Code, the Court of Appeal could not uphold a sentence until an appeal was heard.

He said the judgement of the Upper Sharia Court Gwadabawa was therefore, put on hold pending the outcome of the appeal before the court.