Court grants teacher custody of 3-year-old daughter

A Grade I Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja, granted a teacher, Rabi Abubakar custody of her three-year-old daughter, based on child custody rights in Sharia law.

Delivering a ruling, the judge, Muhammad Adamu held that Fawakihud Dawani, Vol.2, page 65 ”states that the protection of the child regarding shelter, feeding, clothing, bedding and cleaning of his body are rights and responsibility of the mother after divorce from the father or upon his death.”

Adamu added that the mother had an upper hand in the said authority regarding custody and Sharia law recognises the mother first and foremost.

He ordered the respondent, Abdullahi Saleh to support Abubakar with N50, 000 for accommodation every year, considering his financial capability.

The judge also ordered the respondent to provide the plaintiff with N10, 000 monthly for feeding and should be informed when the child is sick, for necessary health care.

He said that the respondent can have access to his child at any point in time with a 24 hours notice to the plaintiff before visiting, during the day time.

Adamu however ordered the respondent to comply strictly with the judgment in the interest of the child.

Earlier, Abubakar had told the court that she got divorced from the respondent on May, 24, 2018 and sought full custody of her three-year-old daughter.

Abubakar also prayed the court to grant an order for the respondent to provide finance for food, school fees, hospital, clothing and accommodation of the child.

The respondent however contested the prayer.

He later agreed to the prayer but prayed the court to grant him three days in a week to be with his daughter.