Nigerian Police Violate Fiscal Rules, Pay N149Million Into Then AIG Lalas' Personal Account For IGP Egbetokun's Charter Flights

Emir of Kano Warns: Any Title Holder Who Beats His Wife Risks Losing His Position Kano State, Nigeria — The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has issued a stern warning that any traditional titleholder in his domain found guilty of beating or injuring his wife will be stripped of his title. He declared that such behavior is unacceptable and un-Islamic, emphasizing that it undermines both the dignity of women and the values of Islam.

The Emir made this declaration on Monday, July 21, while receiving a delegation from the Development Research and Project Center (dRPC) and the Center for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) of Bayero University. The visit was part of an advocacy initiative funded by the Ford Foundation aimed at mentoring Muslim Opinion Leaders (MOLs) to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Muslim-majority states of northern Nigeria.

"Whosoever beats and injures his wife is not a good person," the Emir affirmed. "I'm not the one who said this—it is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Those who beat their wives do not intend to reform them. Today, we are witnessing serious cases of abuse being justified under the guise of discipline or reform."

Sanusi, who holds a PhD and once conducted a five-year study of nine Shari'a courts in Kano, described gender-based violence as rampant and called for urgent behavioral and legal reforms. He emphasized that Islam accords women unparalleled dignity and respect, far more than is often practiced culturally.

"Islam has honored women more than any other religion. Those who use religion to justify abuse clearly do not understand its teachings," he said. The Emir urged clerics, Imams, and community leaders to lead by example and become agents of change in eradicating GBV. He also called for the revival of the Kano State Family Law Draft, which outlines legal and Islamic frameworks for protecting women's rights.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Taofeek Abubakar Hussain, Director of CICID, reiterated the group's commitment to promoting justice and equity through Islamic teachings.

"Islam is full of justice and respect for women, but unfortunately, some cultural practices continue to fuel abuse," Dr. Hussain said. "We have trained clerics who will return to their communities to educate people on Islam's true stance on GBV. No religion protects women's rights better than Islam."

Dr. Hussain also appealed for the training of traditional titleholders on their responsibilities in curbing GBV and emphasized the need to revive the family law draft.

"Our goal is to use this project to show communities the Islamic position on GBV and how it can be reduced to the barest minimum," he added.

"We are working in partnership with leading Imams in Kano, Kaduna, and other parts of the North. Their influence is essential to achieving the societal shift we are aiming for."

The visit and Sanusi's strong message mark a renewed push to address gender-based violence using religious, cultural, and legal platforms—beginning from the heart of one of Nigeria's most influential emirates.