Woman Sues Father Over Attempted Forced Marriage

A 20-year-old woman, Fatima, on Monday prayed a Shari’a Court in Kaduna to stop her father, Aliyu Muhammad from forcing her to marry a stranger.

The complainant who spoke through her counsel, Malam Y.A Bulama, told the court that she has someone she loves.

“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,” the counsel said.

He noted that the complainant did not file a suit against her father out of disrespect for him.

On his part, the father said his late parents chose the groom for his daughter when they were alive and he had to respect their wishes.

“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,” he said.

The judge, Malam Isiyaku Abdulrahman, held that a father has the right to choose a husband for his daughter under Shari’a law.

He however noted that forced marriage was not encouraged while advising the defendant to be patient with his daughter.

“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”, he said.

He also advised the complainant to be a respectful daughter.

NAN