Woman returns N100,000 bride price in exchange for divorce

Sharia Law Court

Published By: Isa Isawade

By Aisha Gambo

A 25-year-old woman, Zainab Musa, on Wednesday, returned the N100,000 bride price she received from her husband, Musa Sani, in exchange for a divorce at Rigasa Shari’a Court, Kaduna.

The woman had earlier prayed that the court should dissolve her two-year-old marriage through the Khul’i (redemption), an Islamic
ruling that gives a woman the right to redeem herself from marriage.

Mr M.S Aliyu, who stood as neutral counsel to the parties, said all efforts to reconcile the couple through their parents proved abortive.

He said “The parents of the couple have agreed that the N100,000 bride price paid during the wedding be returned, and we have the money in cash.

“As for the one child they have, Zainab’s parents will accept any amount the defendant can afford as upkeep allowance.”

On his part, the husband said he still loved his wife but had no choice but to let her go since she was no longer interested in the marriage, adding that he had accepted the N100,000 settlement.

The Judge, Malam Mukhtar Aliyu, confirmed the dissolution of the marriage through Khul’i, adding that the complaint should start observing her iddah immediately.

Iddah is a waiting period that a Muslim woman observes after the death of her husband or after a divorce.

The waiting period for a divorced woman is three menstrual circles, as one of its main purposes is to remove any doubt as to the paternity of a child born after the divorce or death of the prior husband.

The judge, thereafter, said, “Anyone that is not satisfied with the judgment can appeal within 30 days.”