Nigeria: 20-year-old girl sues father to stop forced marriage

A Nigerian woman Fatima Aliyu is winning the hearts of many advocates of women’s empowerment following her stance against oppressive traditional practices.

According to local media, the 20-year-old lady in northern Nigeria sued her father for pressuring her into being married to a stranger.

A Sharia (Islamic) court in Kaduna state was informed by Fatima Aliyu’s attorney that her client already has a romantic partner and as such, could not marry the man the father had in mind.

The lawyer went on to assert that the woman’s suit against the father was not motivated by disdain.

The father, Aliyu Muhammad, testified before the court that he wished to honor the intentions of his deceased parents, who had picked the bridegroom for his daughter when they were still alive.

“I married my 6 daughters off in the village and they are doing well. Fatima’s mother is the brain behind her stubbornness. I need permission to consult with my people over this matter,” he told the court.

While the parent has the right to select a husband for his daughter in line with Shari’a law, forced marriage is not condoned, explained Judge Malam Aiyeku Abdulrahman.

He counseled the girl’s father to exercise patience with his daughter.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, the judge went on to admonish: “You are her father, therefore you should allow her to present the person she wants to marry and if you are pleased with his religion and character, you allow her to get married.”

Should Fatima get her way, this will set a historic precedent in Northern Nigeria, where arranged, forced and even child marriages are still rampant.