HIV+: Suitor Sues Father-In-Law For Refund Of Dowry Over HIV Status Of Fiancee

A farmer, Baban-Iro of Rigasa Area in Kaduna on Thursday appeared before a Kaduna Sharia Court for refusing to refund N32,000 being the bride price and other expenses allegedly paid on his daughter. The demand was made by the suitor following the discovery that she had tested positive to HIV.

One Ibrahim Bala of the same area had gone to the court to complain against Baban-Iro for allegedly collecting the money as bride price and other expenses incurred on his daughter for marriage. Bala said he decided to discontinue with the marriage following the outcome of a hospital test which showed that his fiancee was HIV-positive.

The complainant said although he could have kept quiet if the lady’s father had allowed him to swap with the younger sister of his bride-to-be, but the man refused, saying he would rather refund.

However, four months after the promise, Baban-Iro was yet to repay, Bala told the court. He claimed that he paid N14,000 as bride price, N4, 000 for introduction, N10, 000 for clothing and another N4,000  for sewing the clothes.

Bala promised to produce witnesses before the court to corroborate his claim. Baban-Iro, however, denied collecting N32, 000 from the complainant, saying that the only money he collected was for bride price and introduction, amounting to N18,000. He did not, however, deny the HIV status of his daughter.

The Presiding Officer, Ibrahim Inuwa, directed the complainant to present his witnesses to the court, and adjourned the case.