Woman sues father for attempted forced marriage

A 20-year-old woman, Fatima, has dragged her father to a Shari’a Court in Kaduna for allegedly forcing her to marry a stranger.

Fatima told the court that she has someone she loves and her father, Aliyu Muhammad has reportedly threatened to take her to the village and marry her off.

Her counsel, Malam Y.A Bulama also told the court that his client did not file a suit against her father out of disrespect for him. Bulama said;

“The father wants my client to marry a man in their village in Niger state. Right now she’s living in her aunty’s house because he threatened to take her to the village and marry her off.”

However, Fatima’s father told the court that his late parents chose the groom for his daughter when they were alive and he had to respect their wishes. He said;

“I married my six daughters off in the village and they are doing well. Fatima’s mother is the brains behind her stubbornness. I need permission to consult with my people over this matter.”

The judge, Malam Isiyaku Abdulrahman, who held that a father has the right to choose a husband for his daughter under Shari’a law, stated that forced marriage is not encouraged. He also told the girl’s father to be patient with her.

Isiyaku said;

“You are her father, therefore you should pray for the best for her because if you are angry with her she won’t see good things.

“Allow her to present the person she wants to marry and if you are pleased with his religion and character, you allow her to get married”