A Gudu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has ordered a housewife, Hajara Ibrahim to pay the sum of N10,000 to her former husband to free herself.
The court gave the order after dissolving the 17-year-old marriage between Hajara and Ibrahim Tanko.
The judge, Mallam Isah Imam, said Tanko, who claimed he was still in love with Hajara, was granted enough time for settlement, but no positive result was recorded at the expiration of the period.
He said Tanko and his counsel were absent in court several times when the matter came up for hearing.
The judge added that where there was disagreement between parties, the court has the discretion to decide on the matter. Imam, however, dissolved the marriage by way of ‘Khuli,’ saying that any aggrieved party could appeal to the Sharia Court of Appeal within 30 days from October 21.
Under Islamic law, Khuli is performed when a woman seeking divorce returns the dowry.
Hajara in her claims accused Tanko of negligence, battery and lack of love.
She agreed to refund N5,000, which was paid on her as dowry and pleaded with the court to grant divorce by way of Khuli.
The marriage produced four children.
