A man identified as Awaisu Jibril has been brought before a Shari’a Court sitting in Rigasa, Kaduna State for allegedly marrying five wives, which is contrary to Islamic teachings.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the case was brought before the court by Musa Abdullahi, a community leader, who reported the matter to the Rigasa Police Division.
During the court proceedings, the defendant claimed to have only four wives and that he had divorced the fourth wife a month before marrying the fifth. However, he admitted that the fourth wife had not finished her waiting period (Iddah) which requires a woman to observe three menstrual cycles after a divorce before marrying again.
The fifth wife, identified as Naja’atu Kabir, told the court that she was not aware that the defendant was still married to the fourth wife and that she was one month pregnant.
The judge, Malam Anass Khalifa, ruled that it was wrong for the defendant to add another wife when the fourth wife had not completed her Iddah period.
The judge also ruled that the fifth marriage was invalid as it was not permissible in Islam to have more than four wives. However, the judge confirmed that the pregnancy of the fifth wife was legitimate.
According to the judge, “after thorough investigation and testimony by witnesses, the court has realised that the fourth defendant is ignorant of the ruling of Islam regarding marriage and divorce.
“Therefore, he will continue to take care of Naja’atu Kabir and the pregnancy until she gives birth; he will also take care of the child after birth because the child is his.
“He shall inherit his father because he was not conceived out of wedlock but as a result of ignorance and lack of investigation from both parents,” he said.
The pronouncement of divorce for the fourth wife was also confirmed by the judge.
The case has been adjourned until April 19th for a ruling on the defendant.
