A woman identified as Fatima has reportedly dragged her father to a Shari’a Court sitting in Kaduna State for forcing her to marry a stranger.
The 20-year-old Fatima told the court that she had someone she loved but her father, Aliyu Muhammad had threatened to take her to the village and marry her off.
Fatima’s counsel, Malam Bulama also told the court that his client didn’t 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.”
Also on his part, Fatima’s father, Aliyu Muhammad said his late parents chose the man for his daughter before their death and he had to respect their wishes.
“I married my 6 daughters off in the village and they are doing well. Fatima’s mother is the brain behind her stubbornness. I need permission to consult with my people over this matter,” he said.
The judge, Isiyaku Abdulrahman, held that a father under the Shari’a law, has the right to choose a husband for his daughter.
He however noted that forced marriage is not encouraged.
“You are her father, therefore you should 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,” the court held.
