The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II on Monday threatened to remove any traditional title holder under his domain that beat his wife.
The monarch made the remark at Bayero University Kano, at the opening of 2024 National Dialogue on the role of Islamic Opinion Leaders in the prevention of Gender based violence in Northern Nigeria.
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The traditional ruler also called for urgent review of section 55 of the penal code law of Nigeria, that permits husbands to correct their wives due to gross abuse of the provision in the Northern part of the country.
The section as encapsulated in the Penal Code Law allows a husband to “correct” his wife if it is within the bounds of lawful customs and does not cause “grievous hurt”.
The former CBN Governor cited a documented case study conducted across nine Shari’a courts in Kano, revealing 45 percent of Gender Based Violence out of the total cases being handled at the courts.
According to him, the research also indicated several instances where wives, as result of violence abuse, suffered broken teeth and damaged jaws while many left with thorough beating in the hands of their husbands.
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The traditional ruler also cited several provisions of Islamic jurisprudence that prohibited violence against women, saying that government must criminalised any act of maltreatment against woman in a marriage.
“Husbands that beat wives for any reason, are being animalistic in nature. And if we get to a point in our society where people are not restrained from beating their wives, the Government should make it a crime. It should be prohibited.
“In the 24th century, if the North part of the country still held section 55 of the penal code that allows husbands to beat their wives, such a section should be removed. Nigeria should emulate family laws of Islamic countries that prohibit such acts.
“When my daughters are getting married, I mostly tell their husbands, if you don’t like them any more, send them back to me, don’t beat them. And my traditional title holders also know. If you beat your wife you lose your title. At the same time, we must teach our girls to respect their husbands. Marriage is built upon love, mercy and mutual respect between husband and wife,” Sanusi said.
On his part, the Director, Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Taofeek Abubakar Hussein said the centre is committed to promoting understanding on the role of Islamic scholars against gender violence.
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Director, Partnership and Strategic Communications, Development Research and Projects Centre, (dRPC) Dr. Hassan Karofi explained the event was part of 16 days of activism to end gender based violence in Northern Nigeria.
“With the theme, Islamic Teachings and Community Collaboration for the end of Gender Based Violence, the event aims to strengthen the voice of Islamic Opinion and Leaders, against gender based violence in the region,” karofi added.
