NIGERIA: Eighteen men appear in court on allegations of "indecent dressing" in an Islamic Nigerian state

Eighteen Nigerian men accused of dressing up as women during a party went on trial on Tuesday (August 22) before an Islamic sharia court in the northern islamic state of Bauchi. The men, mostly in their 20s, were arrested in a Bauchi hotel on August Cross-dressing is illegal under the state's sharia penal code. The offence is punishable by up to a year in prison and 20 lashes by cane. The accused, who tried to hide their faces as they were jeered at on their way in and out of court, deny the charge. Their lawyer, Ralphe Monye said he feared the mob might get out of hand and disrupt the proceedings. "I am comfortable, the only problem I am having is actually this crowd. You cannot control the crowds. You never can predict the mob," said Monye. The police brought handbags and suitcases containing women's high-heeled shoes and clothing to the court as evidence. The 18 are not being formally charged with homosexuality, which is illegal in Nigeria and considered immoral by the vast majority of people, both Muslims and Christians. Five of the defendants were released on bail for 20,000 Naira (158 US dollars) each, sparking even more outrage and protests from the public. Abuse and stones were hurled at the accused men as they were escorted into an armoured prison vehicle after the hearing, prompting police to fire tear-gas at the crowd. Bauchi is one of 12 states in the predominantly Muslim north that started a stricter enforcement of sharia law in 2000 -- a decision that alienated sizeable Christian minorities and sparked bouts of sectarian violence that killed thousands. In the 12 states, the courts have the right to impose strict punishments such as death for adultery or sodomy and amputation for theft.

ITN Source | August 23, 2007

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