A Gudu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Friday dissolved a 17-year-old marriage between Hajara Ibrahim and Ibrahim Tanko, and ordered her to pay N10,000 to her ex-husband to free herself.

Divorce Decree

The judge, Mallam Isah Imam, said Tanko who claimed he was still in love with Hajara was granted enough time for settlement, which did not yield positive results.

He said Tanko and his counsel were absent in court severally, adding that where there is disagreement between parties, the judge has discretion to decide on the matter.

Imam, however, dissolved the marriage by way of `Khuli,’ adding that any aggrieved party can appeal to the Sharia Court of Appeal within 30 days from Oct. 21.

Under Islamic law, Khuli is 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.

It would be recalled that a man should divorce of his own free will, therefore, if someone compels him to divorce his wife, that divorce will be void.

According to the Quran which is the book on which Islam is based, there is a waiting period.

In countries where polygyny is permitted, there is no waiting period before the husband can remarry.