A civil servant named Jamilu Zuntu, residing in Kaduna State, has demanded his estranged wife, Hadiza Aliyu, to pay him N7 million as a condition for granting her request for divorce. 

Zuntu justified the sum, claiming it covers expenses he incurred on Hadiza’s education and traditional dowries during their three-year marriage. 

The demand was made during proceedings at a Shari’a court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, on Thursday.

Zuntu elaborated that he had spent N2.5 million on Hadiza’s education over two and a half years, along with N2.5 million on clothing and other customary rites. 

“I also bought boxes of clothes worth N2.5 million and paid for other traditional rites,” he claimed.

In response, Hadiza expressed willingness to pay only N100,000, representing the dowry paid on her behalf, in order to dissolve the marriage.

Presented by her legal representative, A. A Imam, Hadiza also requested custody of their two-year-old daughter, citing Zuntu’s purported inability to provide for her. 

The presiding judge, Isiyaku Abdulrahman, after hearing arguments from both parties, adjourned the case until February 27 for a ruling.