Why Kano family law is necessary -Emir Sanusi

Few months ago, a divorcee went to the palace of Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll and lodged a complaint about her former husband whom she had 10 children with. The woman informed the emir that she was not in the palace to beg him compel her ex-husband to remarry her. Rather wanted the emir to use […]

Few months ago, a divorcee went to the palace of Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll and lodged a complaint about her former husband whom she had 10 children with. The woman informed the emir that she was not in the palace to beg him compel her ex-husband to remarry her.

Rather wanted the emir to use his power to force the man to take care of his children.
The woman told the emir that when they separated, she took three out of the 10 children with her and the former husband’s brothers also took three.The former husband was left with four children whom he abandoned instead of taking care of them.

She further stated that, she was compelled to report her case to the emir to save the lives of her children, saying “I am afraid of their future.”

Sanusi, who was touched by the divorcee’s narration, summoned the man and informed him about the complaint of his former wife. The man informed the emir he had another wife with eight children.

“You mean you have 18 children?” the emir asked the man. “Yes your Highness,” the man replied. The emir asked again, “what is your occupation?” and the man answered, “I am a shoe shiner your Highness.”

Emir Sanusi narrated this touching story on Saturday while he was making remarks at the mass wedding of 1,520 couples sponsored by Kano state government, held at Kano Central mosque.

Emir Sanusi said the divorcee’s story was just one out of hundreds that were being reported to the Emir’s Palace, Hisbah board, Courts and Police stations in the state on daily basis.

“Our people are facing serious challenges in their family affairs. We have heard series of complaints where a father forced his daughter to marry someone against her wish. We have heard so many cases where people marry additional wives and they would not feed them well, cloth them well or give them good shelter,” he said.

These were some of the reasons that compelled Kano Emirate council to formulate the proposed family law to regulate issues of marriage in the state.

He said those kicking against the proposed law were doing so because they wanted to maintain the old tradition of marrying up to four wives and keeping them without proper care.

He added that others were criticizing the law either because they didn’t understand its concept, or were against it for their selfish interest.

The emir explained that the proposed law provides that any Muslim that marries more than one wife and was not taking good care of them, a court of law would take a portion of his wealth and feed his family, give them shelter and clothes, adding that if the man resists to this order, the law would take necessary action against him.

“If you know, your salary cannot take care of more than one wife, don’t get additional wife,” the emir warned.

Sanusi noted that although the emirate council would not stop people from voicing out their personal views regarding the law, but that would not stop the council from backing any law that would better up the lives of the people. The emir reiterated that he would go ahead with the law despite criticism by some individuals, saying “no amount of criticism would stop me from ensuring the enactment of the proposed law to regulate marriage and marriage related matters in the state.”

He assured that the law was not meant to stop Muslims from marrying up to four wives, but to regulate how a Muslim should treat his wives and children as Islam dictated.

He further said “We are going to meet today (Wednesday) to review the over 80 pages of the law and make the necessary adjustment before presenting it to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.

He also said that in Islam, a Muslim was not allowed to marry more than one wife if he doesn’t have the means to take care of them or would not treat them fairly.

Sanusi also warned Muslims especially those in the habit of marrying their daughters against their wishes or beating their wives, to desist from such, saying the proposed law would not allow such to continue in the state.

“Those that have developed these habits should come back to their senses and drop these barbaric acts because we will not allow these to continue in Kano. I have warned all district heads; village heads ward heads and imams, to desist from the bad habit of beating their wives and whoever among them is reported to have beaten his wife will lose his title,” the emir said.

He said Kano needs a law that would guide people to the real teachings of Islam, regulates marriage affairs and compels parents to adhere to the law for a better future.

“As a leader, I would be accountable to the predicaments of my subjects, so I would not allow them to deviate from the right path. I would continue to draw their attention until they understand the right thing to do, to improve their lives,” he promised.

He, however, urged wealthy individuals, politicians, Islamic scholars and traditional rulers especially those who had only one wife, to get additional wives.