Nigerian official faces Sharia court

The assembly in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara - the first state in the country to introduce full Islamic law - has suspended its deputy speaker after an inquiry found him guilty of corruption and the possession of alcohol.

The assembly was told that the official, Abdessalam Ahmed Ashar, had sold a government car, and had also been found in a car with cartons of alcohol and some prostitutes.

The deputy speaker, who denies the charges, is now to appear before an Islamic court - which could impose a sentence of eighty lashes for the possession of alcohol.

Another top state official, Alhaji Sani Mustafa, was arrested with his girlfriend on Thursday while allegedly drinking alcohol.

Correspondents say that until now it is mainly ordinary people who have been punished under Islamic law.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service