In addition, Ige appeared to be heading for a showdown with Islamic courts in northern Nigeria after threatening to intervene to save the life of a mother sentenced to death by stoning for having extramarital sex.

Nigerian Justice Minister Shot Dead at Home 

ABUJA, Nigeria, Dec. 24 -- Nigeria's justice minister was shot and killed by one of several attackers who broke into his home in the southwestern city of Ibadan, government officials and family members said today.

Bola Ige was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, officials said. Ige died about 10 p.m. Sunday after being shot once in the chest, according to Bose Ehindero, a relative of Ige who answered the phone at Ige's residence this morning.