On the 16th August, 2016, 14-year-old Habiba Isiyaku was allegedly abducted from her school, Government Senior Secondary School, Kudun Kankara LGA of Katsina State by one Jamilu Lawal, an aide to the emir of Katsina, HRH. Alhaji Abdulmummuni Kabir Usman.
She was later converted to Islam and the emir married her, saying the decision is irreversible. Pictured above is Habiba, before her alleged abduction. Also pictured are her parents and the emir.
Habiba is expected to clock 15 years on Saturday, October 15, 2016, and would have resumed school for the new academic term, to start Senior Secondary School, but for her abduction.
The incident was blown open when her father lodged a complaint with Stefanos Foundation, an NGO. Habiba was allowed to appear
before CAN officials and others in the palace on Thursday, and was asked three questions by the Kaora Katsina, Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkadir.
She was asked whether she was forcefully converted to Islam and whether anyone forced her into the marriage, to which she answered no. On whether by the time she met her husband, she was already experiencing menstrual period, she answered yes.
The Kaora Katsina said, “The questions are in line with the dictates of the Islam. Since she has voluntarily answered the three questions in our presence, there is no going back on her marriage.”
A letter purportedly written by Habiba’s father was read to the gathering, apologising to the emirate council for any embarrassment the issue might have caused it. The CAN Chairman for Katsina State, Very Rev. Nelson Ugochukwu, however, told the emirate council that Isa’s marriage did not have the consent of her parents, who he said, were crying for justice in Abuja.
She was asked whether she was forcefully converted to Islam and whether anyone forced her into the marriage, to which she answered no. On whether by the time she met her husband, she was already experiencing menstrual period, she answered yes.
The Kaora Katsina said, “The questions are in line with the dictates of the Islam. Since she has voluntarily answered the three questions in our presence, there is no going back on her marriage.”
A letter purportedly written by Habiba’s father was read to the gathering, apologising to the emirate council for any embarrassment the issue might have caused it. The CAN Chairman for Katsina State, Very Rev. Nelson Ugochukwu, however, told the emirate council that Isa’s marriage did not have the consent of her parents, who he said, were crying for justice in Abuja.
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