Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, has issued a stern warning to traditional title holders within the emirate council, declaring that any title holder found guilty of abusing his wife will be stripped of his position. The Emir made this declaration during the 2024 National Dialogue on the Role of Islamic Opinion Leaders in Preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Northern Nigeria, held at Bayero University on Monday.
Sanusi called for an urgent review of Section 55 of Nigeria’s Penal Code Law, which allows husbands to “correct” their wives as long as it does not result in “grievous hurt.” He argued that this provision has been grossly abused in Northern Nigeria, contributing to a troubling prevalence of domestic violence. Citing Islamic jurisprudence, the Emir emphasized that violence against women is fundamentally un-Islamic and must be criminalized to protect the sanctity of marriage.
A recent study conducted across nine Shari’a courts in Kano revealed that 45% of the cases heard were related to GBV. Sanusi highlighted shocking findings from the research, which documented instances of women suffering broken teeth, damaged jaws, and other severe injuries inflicted by their husbands. He described such acts as “animalistic” and underscored the need for societal and legal reforms to curb the rising tide of domestic violence.
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In his speech, Sanusi advocated for adopting family laws from Islamic countries where spousal abuse is explicitly prohibited. He also shared a personal perspective, stating that he advises his daughters’ husbands to return them to their family if they no longer want to remain in the marriage rather than resort to violence. He reiterated his firm stance that any traditional title holder within his jurisdiction who beats his wife would lose his title.
The Emir stressed the importance of mutual respect in marriage, saying, “Marriage is built upon love, mercy, and respect between husband and wife. While we must protect women from abuse, it is equally important to teach our girls to respect their husbands. A balanced and harmonious relationship is the foundation of a healthy society.” He concluded.
