When the couple first appeared at the Gombe Area Court 2 August, they were ordered to undergo HIV screening in a hospital. But when the case resumed 11 August, Aisha told the court that her husband had disappeared with the court`s letter ordering the HIV test, only to reappear in court on that day. Mohammed, however, told the court he did not undergo the test because his father-in-law had advised that it was unnecessary.

The marriage was annulled on the woman`s request.

An estimated 3.5 million of Nigeria`s 130 million people are said to be carrying HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Although testing is free in most public hospitals, many people are discouraged by the stigma suffered by people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Nigerian government is currently providing anti-retroviral drugs for less than 20,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and plans to raise the number to 250,000 in 2006.

A Nigerian AIDS Patient