A businessman, Dauda Dahiru, has asked a Shari’a Court sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, to compel his former wife, Rabi’atu Suleiman, to leave his house, alleging that she has remained there for two years after their marriage ended.
Counsel to the complainant, Hassan Sadisu, told the court that the couple have six children—five girls and a boy. He explained that Ms Suleiman was pregnant with their last child at the time of the divorce and was permitted to remain in the house until she delivered.
According to the lawyer, although she gave birth as agreed, she has continued to occupy the property and now insists the house should be handed over to her. He informed the court that Mr Dahiru had already sold the property but was willing to rent another house for his former wife in the interest of their children.
In her defence, Ms Suleiman argued that her ex-husband should either buy her a one-bedroom apartment or secure a rented house with five years’ rent paid in advance.
Presiding Judge Mu’awiyah Shehu ruled that the defendant had no legal basis to demand either request, stressing that the complainant’s responsibility was limited to the welfare and upkeep of the children, not his former wife.
The judge adjourned the matter until September 8 and directed Ms Suleiman to identify a suitable house so Mr Dahiru could pay the agreed rent. He also ordered her to vacate the disputed property immediately, warning that failure to comply would attract consequences.