A Nigerian civil rights group lost its appeal against the shut down of its chat forums on Facebook and Twitter that criticise the practice of Islamic law in northern states.

"The sharia court judge just finished judgment and upheld the ban of Facebook and Twitter," said Shehu Sani, president of the Civil Rights Congress.

The rights group began a debate on Facebook and Twitter two weeks ago, asking members for their opinions over the amputation of a peasant farmer's hand ten years ago after he was convicted by an Islamic court for stealing a cow.

Sani said he started the discussion to highlight what he believes is the unfair practice of sharia law by Nigeria's northern states. The chat forums were shut down last week following the lower court's ruling.

source: Reuters