- Court remands another for alleged attempt to kill his sister
A businessman, Awaisu Jibril, on Wednesday, appeared at a Shari’a Court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna, for allegedly marrying five wives, contrary to Islamic teaching.
The prosecutor, Inspector Sambo Maigari, had told the court that one Musa Abdullahi , a community leader, had reported the matter to the Rigasa Police Division.
The defendant told the court that he only had four wives because he had divorced the fourth a month before marrying the fifth.
He, however, stated that the fourth wife had not finished her waiting period (Iddah) as she was supposed to observe three menstrual cycles.
On her part, the fifth wife, Naja’atu Kabir, told the court that she wasn’t aware he was still married to the fourth, stating that she was one month pregnant.
The judge, Malam Anass Khalifa, said it was wrong to add another wife, knowing well that the fourth wife had not finished Iddah.
He ruled that the fifth marriage was invalid as it was not permissible in Islam to have more than four wives, adding that the pregnancy of the fifth wife was legitimate.
“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 judge also confirmed the pronouncement of divorce of the fourth wife.
He adjourned to April 19 for a ruling on the defendant.
Also, a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi on Thursday ordered that a 59-year-old man, Kelvin Iorfa, be remanded in a correction centre, pending legal advice.
The police charged Iorfa with assault and attempted culpable homicide.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Roseline Iyorshe, did not take the plea of Iorfa for want of jurisdiction.
Iyorshe ordered the police to return the case file to the Benue Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
She adjourned the case until June 8, for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Godwin Ato told the court that the case was reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi by Jenkies Shade of KM 4 Gboko Road, Makurdi on April 11.
Ato alleged that on April 10, Shade reported that Iorfa ruthlessly brutalized his older sister, Nguwasen of Clerk Quarters, Makurdi.
“He hit her with an object on her head and other sensitive parts of her body until she became unconscious,” the prosecutor said.
Following the petition, the prosecutor told the court that police detectives arrested Iorfa and he confessed to the crime.
He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 266 and 230 of the Penal Code Law of Benue State 2004.
The prosecutor, who said investigation into the matter was still ongoing, prayed for an adjournment.
NAN
