She stepped out of the police vehicle with her hands cuffed. The officers looked at her and signaled for her to move forward. She walked slowly and listlessly, leaving everything to God. The people nearby began to heap verbal abuse on her, condemning her behavior. The police moved in to protect her so that no one in the crowd would try to harm her.
They led her into the courtroom, which was very grand. The courtroom was very wide — you could see the judge’s bench, the witness stand, chairs, tables, doors, a lectern, and a small desk for the court clerk. Near the judge’s bench the court files were covered, and a wooden barrier separated the trial area from the gallery.
On one side were the public and police; lawyers stood with the judge. The judge looked at them and then allowed everyone to be seated. Each one sat as the court fell completely silent, as if no one else existed there.
The judge turned his attention to the accused and ordered her to come forward to hear the sentence. She rose trembling and walked toward the front of the court, facing the people in the hall.
The judge began, “Based on the evidence we have considered, and relying on the facts and thorough investigation, Mrs. Laila Abdullahi is accused of using her company under the pretense of helping the poor while trafficking children — sending them abroad for prostitution to generate income for her — and also trafficking hard drugs and intoxicants, things the law clearly forbids.”
“Therefore, this honorable court sentences her to death by hanging in one week.” At this the panel of judges stood and called, “Court.”
Hearing this, everyone left the courtroom, rejoicing and celebrating the sentence the court had given her. Mrs. Laila Abdullahi emerged weeping over her misery, while others stood and shouted curses at her.
They put her into the police vehicle and took her to prison. After several days, the warders brought her out, dressed in prison garb, to the place of execution. She wept as if her heart would break, begging that at least one person would believe she had not committed the crimes charged against her.
They brought her to the execution site. The executioner brought out the rope, lifted it above, and then put a hood over her head and mouth. He placed the noose around her neck; she screamed and wailed.
Waking, Pregnancy, and Court Proceedings
She woke suddenly from the dreadful dream, sweat pouring from every part of her body, panic and distress pressing down on her over her helplessness. Her heart began to beat very fast.
She clutched her abdomen, swollen and showing that she was pregnant. She felt heavy all over and could not even move a finger because of the intense pain and suffering she felt.
Hearing the movement of people behind her, she quickly looked. She fixed her eyes on the guards standing over her and her heart sank again — they had come to take her to court. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke,
“Please, do me one favor; before you take me to court to sentence me, let one of you hand me a phone so I can call my relatives, please.”
The guards looked at one another. One of them said, “The court will not allow that. So do not attempt anything here; otherwise we have firearms and will shoot you. Obey the law.”
She rose trembling, wearing prison clothes. When she extended her hands, they placed handcuffs on her and led her out. The other women in the prison watched her as she was taken away.
Inside the police van on the way to court she kept reciting istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and saying prayers until they arrived at the court.
The police parked. All eyes were on them as they waited for Mrs. Laila Abdullahi to come out. When she stepped out of the vehicle, she felt a crushing weight on her chest. She pressed her hands to it in pain, tears streaming down her face. Immediately people began to throw stones at her and loudly denounce her. The officers had to step in to shield her, then escorted her into the courtroom.
Reporters and the public crowded in front of the high court; everywhere you saw police and soldiers carrying guns to keep order.
“We demand justice! We demand justice!” chanted the crowd.
A journalist approached an old man, raised the microphone, and asked, “Sir, what is your name?” The old man replied, “My name is Namadi.” The reporters asked again, “What crime are you accusing this woman of, and why are you stoning her?” Namadi began to speak through tears:
“We accuse her of trafficking our children and sending them out. We all want this court to give us justice for the harm and deceit she has done. She ruined the lives of our children; she killed some of them while using others to traffic drugs for her benefit. We thought she would be a savior to dry our tears, but she turned out to be wicked. She promised to train our children and employ them in her company, but she really held them to send abroad to make money through prostitution. So we want our rights for what she has done to us.” He wept and added, “She betrayed our trust and abused us. If the court doesn’t punish her, we will kill her ourselves.”
A reporter aimed the camera and said, “You have heard what this elder said — that they accuse Mrs. Laila Abdullahi of child trafficking and drug trafficking. Seeking truth for the public good, exposing injustice, reporting honestly and fairly, protecting public rights and human dignity — this honorable court is where we find these things. Let us wait for the verdict.”
They were called into the courtroom and the judge entered. The court official announced that the judge had ordered everyone to sit.
The judge instructed that Mrs. Abdullahi Muhammad come before the court. She stood where the accused are placed, with police behind her.
The judge opened the book, made notes, and allowed the court clerk to stand and speak. The clerk said a formal greeting and read: “On this Monday, the first of February, this honorable court will continue to hear complaints brought against the accused. Today will be the final hearing in the case of Mrs. Laila Abdullahi, accused of child trafficking and neglect.”
“Is the lawyer for Mrs. Laila Abdullahi present? And is the lawyer for the complainants present? If so, please rise.” The defense lawyer rose and said, “Yes, I am here.” The other counsel also rose.
The clerk continued, “After the evidence presented to this court in the previous sessions one and two and three, the court will now pronounce its decision in this case.” He sat down.
The judge looked at the defense lawyers and asked, “Do you have any further evidence to present?”
They answered, “No.”
The judge took up the book on his desk and said, “Considering the evidence presented to the court, all of which indicates that the accused, Mrs. Laila Abdullahi, committed these crimes, and given that neither she nor her counsel have offered convincing proof to satisfy the court that she did not commit them, this honorable court issues the following ruling.”
“Considering her condition of pregnancy, this court orders that she will not be hanged until she gives birth. This court further orders that Mrs. Laila Abdullahi shall receive medical care while in custody and be given good food until she delivers. After five years from now, she will be executed. That is the ruling.”
The panel of judges stood and called, “COURT.”
The people rose, some displeased by the delay of execution due to the pregnancy, but many felt satisfied the ultimate order to hang her would still come later.
They left the courtroom and the officials escorted Mrs. Laila Abdullahi toward the police vehicle. People hurled insults as they approached her: “May God curse you, you betrayer of our trust — you must reap what you sow,” said an elder woman.
As they approached the vehicle, the officers again had to shield her; someone began to stamp on the police van holding her. Mrs. Laila’s grief and wailing were not only from public humiliation but from regret and sorrow at the choices she had made — the trust she gave to people was the cause of her life’s ruin.
They drove until they reached the women’s prison yard. The officers opened the van, brought Mrs. Laila Abdullahi out, and took her into the female ward of the prison, then locked the gate.
Description
Arrest and Court Appearance
She stepped out of the police vehicle with her hands cuffed. The officers looked at her and signaled for her to move forward. She walked slowly and listlessly, leaving everything to God. The people nearby began to heap verbal abuse on her, condemning her behavior. The police moved in to protect her so that no one in the crowd would try to harm her.
They led her into the courtroom, which was very grand. The courtroom was very wide — you could see the judge’s bench, the witness stand, chairs, tables, doors, a lectern, and a small desk for the court clerk. Near the judge’s bench the court files were covered, and a wooden barrier separated the trial area from the gallery.
On one side were the public and police; lawyers stood with the judge. The judge looked at them and then allowed everyone to be seated. Each one sat as the court fell completely silent, as if no one else existed there.
The judge turned his attention to the accused and ordered her to come forward to hear the sentence. She rose trembling and walked toward the front of the court, facing the people in the hall.
The judge began, “Based on the evidence we have considered, and relying on the facts and thorough investigation, Mrs. Laila Abdullahi is accused of using her company under the pretense of helping the poor while trafficking children — sending them abroad for prostitution to generate income for her — and also trafficking hard drugs and intoxicants, things the law clearly forbids.”
“Therefore, this honorable court sentences her to death by hanging in one week.” At this the panel of judges stood and called, “Court.”
Hearing this, everyone left the courtroom, rejoicing and celebrating the sentence the court had given her. Mrs. Laila Abdullahi emerged weeping over her misery, while others stood and shouted curses at her.
They put her into the police vehicle and took her to prison. After several days, the warders brought her out, dressed in prison garb, to the place of execution. She wept as if her heart would break, begging that at least one person would believe she had not committed the crimes charged against her.
They brought her to the execution site. The executioner brought out the rope, lifted it above, and then put a hood over her head and mouth. He placed the noose around her neck; she screamed and wailed.
Waking, Pregnancy, and Court Proceedings
She woke suddenly from the dreadful dream, sweat pouring from every part of her body, panic and distress pressing down on her over her helplessness. Her heart began to beat very fast.
She clutched her abdomen, swollen and showing that she was pregnant. She felt heavy all over and could not even move a finger because of the intense pain and suffering she felt.
Hearing the movement of people behind her, she quickly looked. She fixed her eyes on the guards standing over her and her heart sank again — they had come to take her to court. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke,
“Please, do me one favor; before you take me to court to sentence me, let one of you hand me a phone so I can call my relatives, please.”
The guards looked at one another. One of them said, “The court will not allow that. So do not attempt anything here; otherwise we have firearms and will shoot you. Obey the law.”
She rose trembling, wearing prison clothes. When she extended her hands, they placed handcuffs on her and led her out. The other women in the prison watched her as she was taken away.
Inside the police van on the way to court she kept reciting istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and saying prayers until they arrived at the court.
The police parked. All eyes were on them as they waited for Mrs. Laila Abdullahi to come out. When she stepped out of the vehicle, she felt a crushing weight on her chest. She pressed her hands to it in pain, tears streaming down her face. Immediately people began to throw stones at her and loudly denounce her. The officers had to step in to shield her, then escorted her into the courtroom.
Reporters and the public crowded in front of the high court; everywhere you saw police and soldiers carrying guns to keep order.
“We demand justice! We demand justice!” chanted the crowd.
A journalist approached an old man, raised the microphone, and asked, “Sir, what is your name?” The old man replied, “My name is Namadi.” The reporters asked again, “What crime are you accusing this woman of, and why are you stoning her?” Namadi began to speak through tears:
“We accuse her of trafficking our children and sending them out. We all want this court to give us justice for the harm and deceit she has done. She ruined the lives of our children; she killed some of them while using others to traffic drugs for her benefit. We thought she would be a savior to dry our tears, but she turned out to be wicked. She promised to train our children and employ them in her company, but she really held them to send abroad to make money through prostitution. So we want our rights for what she has done to us.” He wept and added, “She betrayed our trust and abused us. If the court doesn’t punish her, we will kill her ourselves.”
A reporter aimed the camera and said, “You have heard what this elder said — that they accuse Mrs. Laila Abdullahi of child trafficking and drug trafficking. Seeking truth for the public good, exposing injustice, reporting honestly and fairly, protecting public rights and human dignity — this honorable court is where we find these things. Let us wait for the verdict.”
They were called into the courtroom and the judge entered. The court official announced that the judge had ordered everyone to sit.
The judge instructed that Mrs. Abdullahi Muhammad come before the court. She stood where the accused are placed, with police behind her.
The judge opened the book, made notes, and allowed the court clerk to stand and speak. The clerk said a formal greeting and read: “On this Monday, the first of February, this honorable court will continue to hear complaints brought against the accused. Today will be the final hearing in the case of Mrs. Laila Abdullahi, accused of child trafficking and neglect.”
“Is the lawyer for Mrs. Laila Abdullahi present? And is the lawyer for the complainants present? If so, please rise.” The defense lawyer rose and said, “Yes, I am here.” The other counsel also rose.
The clerk continued, “After the evidence presented to this court in the previous sessions one and two and three, the court will now pronounce its decision in this case.” He sat down.
The judge looked at the defense lawyers and asked, “Do you have any further evidence to present?”
They answered, “No.”
The judge took up the book on his desk and said, “Considering the evidence presented to the court, all of which indicates that the accused, Mrs. Laila Abdullahi, committed these crimes, and given that neither she nor her counsel have offered convincing proof to satisfy the court that she did not commit them, this honorable court issues the following ruling.”
“Considering her condition of pregnancy, this court orders that she will not be hanged until she gives birth. This court further orders that Mrs. Laila Abdullahi shall receive medical care while in custody and be given good food until she delivers. After five years from now, she will be executed. That is the ruling.”
The panel of judges stood and called, “COURT.”
The people rose, some displeased by the delay of execution due to the pregnancy, but many felt satisfied the ultimate order to hang her would still come later.
They left the courtroom and the officials escorted Mrs. Laila Abdullahi toward the police vehicle. People hurled insults as they approached her: “May God curse you, you betrayer of our trust — you must reap what you sow,” said an elder woman.
As they approached the vehicle, the officers again had to shield her; someone began to stamp on the police van holding her. Mrs. Laila’s grief and wailing were not only from public humiliation but from regret and sorrow at the choices she had made — the trust she gave to people was the cause of her life’s ruin.
They drove until they reached the women’s prison yard. The officers opened the van, brought Mrs. Laila Abdullahi out, and took her into the female ward of the prison, then locked the gate.