A 74-year-old man, Abdulrahman Kwamande, on Tuesday sought that a Makurdi Court dissolve the marriage between his daughter Halima and Aminu Sulaiman.

In his application, Mr Kwamande averred that he was the biological father of Halima and her ‘Waliyi’ (guardian), whose consent must be sought and obtained before any marriage can be contracted with her.

The septuagenarian alleged that he was unaware of the marriage and never approved it or asked anyone to stand in as a guardian to Ms Halima.

“I insist that any marriage purportedly entered into between the respondent and my daughter is unlawful under Islamic law. The respondent abducted my daughter,” he alleged.

He said Ms Halima was sponsored to study nursing at the Maryam Abacha University in Maradi, Niger Republic, by her uncle so that upon graduation, she would manage the health centre established for the family’s well-being.

The petitioner further stated that in December 2020, Mr Sulaiman delegated four persons to seek permission to court Mr Halima and was granted, pending a background check on the respondent’s personality.

Mr Kwamande alleged that the respondent moved Ms Halima into his house after divorcing his ex-wife. Also, Mr Suleman was said to have taken in his children in the same apartment as the petitioner’s daughter.

“I protested, asking the respondent to take his children away and allow my daughter to concentrate on her studies.”

Mr Kwamande alleged that Mr Suleiman prevented his daughter from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), adding that his family was uncomfortable with Mr Suleiman’s personality, having discovered that he was a violent man.

“To my shock, one of his sons informed me that he saw an invitation letter which trended online, showing that the respondent had gotten married to Halima on July 30,” he said.

He also argued that the respondent’s action to abduct his daughter, cohabit with her and purportedly declare her as his wife without his consent as her biological father was against Shariah.

However, when the case came up for mention, Mr Sulaiman denied all the allegations.

The magistrate, Abdullahi Ibrahim, adjourned the case until October 18 for a hearing. 

(NAN)