Folks,

Please try to form a mental picture of this scene again.

"Aliyu Abubakar Sanyinna, the attorney general of Sokoto State, relaxes in a grandiose armchair under gently turning fans in his home. He dispenses a mixture of theology and governance that chills with its casual certainties and its disregard for political and human implications. With his two young daughters playing at his feet, he speculates on how a stoning
might be carried out: ''They will dig a pit and put the convicted person in it so that he or she cannot escape. Or he or she will be tied to a tree or a pillar. There will be special people trained for this, as many as possible, but the number will be determined by the court.''

How big should the stones be?

''Not big ones, moderate-size ones -- like this.'' He holds up a fist. He says that he would be happy to cast the first stone if asked to by the court.

He describes adultery as the second most serious crime under Islamic law, the first being insulting Allah. ''Adultery is more serious than murder,'' he says. ''Society is injured by her act. The danger is that it will teach other people to do the same thing.''

 It makes you wonder if this man is not actually deriving some sadistic pleasure from the impending demise of the lady. May God, the Almighty, save and protect her.

Have a good day, Gassa.