Ilorin Court Dissolves Marriage Over Jealousy

A Nigerian court has dissolved the Islamic marriage of Bashirat Qodri and Solihu Musa, citing irreconcilable differences. The Area Court, Centre‑Igboro in Ilorin, issued the ruling after Qodri filed for divorce, alleging that her husband’s jealous attitude caused the breakdown of their marriage. She also requested custody and maintenance of their only child together.

Qodri testified that Musa asked her to leave his house and later harassed her, accusing her of infidelity after she moved into a new apartment. She said she had to pretend that the caretaker of the new apartment was her husband in order to meet the rental conditions. Musa, for his part, told the court that he preferred a divorce, claiming his wife had moved in with another man and was unable to care for their child. He also noted that Qodri had two daughters from a previous marriage, in addition to their shared child.

Presiding Judge Idris Etsu concluded that, since both parties no longer wished to remain married, there was no justification for forcing them to stay together. The court granted Qodri custody of the child and ordered Musa to pay a monthly maintenance fee of N10,000. Musa will also be responsible for the child’s school fees and medical expenses when necessary, while being granted unrestricted access to the child at reasonable times.

Qodri has been ordered to observe a three‑month iddah period before she may remarry. The iddah is a waiting period that a Muslim woman must observe after divorce or the death of her husband before she can marry again. The ruling ends the marriage, and both parties are expected to comply with the terms of the divorce.