Why Bauchi Islamic Court Convicts Gay Man to Just 20 Lashes Instead of Sentencing Him to Death

An Islamic court in the northern city of Bauchi convicted a gay man of homosexual offences, but sentenced him to just 20 lashes.
It is known that under the Islamic law, those involved in homosexual acts can be sentenced to death by stoning.
However, in this case, the court took into account that the Muslim man, arrested in December 2013, committed the offence seven years ago, and had stopped the practise. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of about N4,800 ($30).

The man was among 11 Muslims and a Christian arrested last month for allegedly being homosexuals.
The trial of two other men was adjourned to 23 January, while the fate of the nine other men arrested on the same charge is unclear.
It would be recalled that homosexual acts are now illegal in Nigeria under both Islamic and secular law.
Most states in the predominantly Muslim north of Nigeria have adopted Islamic law, known as Sharia, since the end of military rule in 1999.
President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a parliamentary bill, which tightens laws against homosexuals, banning same-sex marriages, gay groups and shows of same-sex public affection.