AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 60-year-old housewife, Hadiza Abdullahi, has approached a Shari’a Court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, seeking the dissolution of her 35-year marriage and the return of the dowry paid at the time of her wedding.
Abdullahi, represented by her lawyer Abubakar Suleiman, told the court on Wednesday that she no longer wished to continue with the marriage to Isa Usman due to loss of affection. She asked the court to grant her divorce through Khul’i, an Islamic legal process where a wife seeks separation by returning the dowry given by her husband.
According to her counsel, Abdullahi is ready to return the sum of N1,000, which she said was paid as her dowry when the marriage was contracted 35 years ago.
The respondent, Isa Usman, was represented by I.T. Sanusi. Sanusi disputed the stated amount, telling the court that while he could not immediately recall the exact figure, it was certainly more than N1,000. He informed the court that his client is seeking N300,000 and requested time to provide evidence to establish the actual dowry paid and to justify the amount being demanded.
“I pray the court to give us time to present the exact amount that was paid as the complainant’s dowry and reasons why Usman should be paid N300,000,” Sanusi said.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Judge Malam Yakubu Abdullahi adjourned the case to September 2, 2026. He said the adjournment would allow the complainant to present evidence confirming the amount paid as dowry so the court can make a determination on the Khul’i application.
Court officials noted that Khul’i proceedings require clarity on the dowry and mutual understanding between parties before a final decision is made.
The judge urged both parties to remain peaceful while the matter is pending before the court.