Kristne grupper har kritiseret den nigerianske regerings manglende bekræftelse af, at disse straffe er i modstrid med forfatningen, selv om præsident Obasanjo har udtalt, at han vil begræde det, hvis dommen udføres.
Christian groups have been critical of the Nigerian Government's failure to affirm that such punishments are contrary to the federal constitution, although President Obasanjo has said that he will weep if the verdict is carried out.