In a notable case at the Rigasa Shari’a Court in Kaduna, a 25-year-old woman, Zainab Musa, on Wednesday returned a ₦100,000 bride price to her husband, Musa Sani, as part of her request for a divorce.
Zainab had approached the court seeking the dissolution of her two-year marriage through Khul’i, an Islamic provision that allows a woman to initiate divorce by returning her bride price. The couple, who share one child, had reportedly been unable to reconcile their differences despite efforts made by their respective families.
M.S. Aliyu, a neutral counsel representing both parties, informed the court that the parents of both the husband and wife had agreed to the return of the ₦100,000 dowry, which was paid at the time of their wedding. “The money has been provided in cash,” Aliyu stated. He also mentioned that Zainab’s family would accept any amount Sani could reasonably provide as a child maintenance allowance.
Despite expressing love for his wife, Musa Sani told the court he had no choice but to accept the divorce since Zainab no longer wished to continue the marriage. He confirmed that he had agreed to the return of the bride price.
Presiding Judge Mukhtar Aliyu granted the divorce under Khul’i and instructed Zainab to begin her iddah, the mandatory waiting period for a Muslim woman following divorce. The iddah for a divorced woman is three menstrual cycles, a measure intended to clear up any potential doubts about the paternity of any future children.
The judge concluded the hearing by stating that either party could appeal the decision within 30 days if they were dissatisfied with the ruling.
