Real reason businessman arrested for marrying five wives

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

A Kaduna-based businessman, Awaisu Jibril, has been dragged to court by a community leader for marrying many wives

It was gathered that Jibril appeared on Wednesday at a Shari’a Court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna, for allegedly marrying five wives, as it was against Islamic teaching.

Inspector Sambo Maigari, the prosecutor told the court that one Musa Abdullahi, a community leader, had reported the matter to the Rigasa Police Division.

According to the report, the defendant, Jibril told the court that he only had four wives because he had divorced the fourth a month before marrying the fifth.

The fifth wife Naja’atu Kabir however, 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, in his statement, said that it was wrong to add another wife, knowing well that the fourth wife had not finished Iddah (menstruation).

He ruled that the fifth marriage was invalid as it was not permissible in Islam to have more than four wives.

“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.” The judge stated.

“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.

He adjourned to April 19 for a ruling on the defendant.