The Express

ENGLAND/NIGERIA: Queen May Boycott Death-Sentence State

The case of a woman facing the death sentence in Nigeria could influence the Queen into boycotting a royal visit to the west African state.

 Diplomats believe a royal visit would be viewed as support for brutal practices enforced by strict Muslim Sharia law in parts of Nigeria.

 Officials had listed Nigeria as a possible destination for the Queen's spring tour of Commonwealth states next year. But the visit is in doubt after news of the death sentence imposed on 30-year-old Amina Lawa became public.

 An Islamic court has ordered that Miss Lawa must be killed after having an affair which led to the birth of her nine-month-old daughter. She has already lost 1 appeal and must seek clemency in a higher court or be killed when the child has finished breast-feeding.

 A diplomatic source said last night: "These women suffer an appalling fate for something most societies do not see as a crime. For Her Majesty to go ahead might send the wrong message."

 Nigeria is also facing a walkout by Miss World beauty contest officials because of the brutal penal code.