AN Islamic court in Nigeria on Wednesday handed down the first-ever conviction against a Christian, who was flogged in the northern Nigerian city of Kano. Officials in Kano State, which introduced the Islamic law known as Sharia in November, had said it would apply only to Muslims. Nevertheless, an Islamic court on Wednesday convicted Alto Danmama, 27, of impersonation and assault and ordered he be given 20 strokes of the cane. He was also fined 2_000 naira (about $17). The court found him guilty of claiming to be a member of the Islamic law vigilante corps, known as “Hisbah”, and assaulting another Christian, Victor Bitrus, a trader, for drinking. Soon after the verdict was pronounced, Danmama was served 20 strokes of the cane in the over-crowded court, amid shouts of “Allahu Akbar” (meaning God is greater) by spectators, who paid the fine on his behalf. – AFP