Dare Babalola
Five Kano State youths have been arrested by the Hisbah Board in the state for allegedly conducting an illegal marriage ceremony without the consent of their parents.
In a statement on Monday, the Deputy Commander General of the board, Dr Mujahideen Aminuddeen, confirmed the development saying those arrested included the groom, bride, and three others who acted as representatives and a witness.
The marriage was allegedly contracted with a dowry of ₦10,000, below the minimum threshold recognised in Islamic legal standards.
Noting that the union violated Islamic and legal marital procedures, and the board had launched an investigation, Aminuddeen appealed to parents to monitor their children’s social engagements and guide them in marriage matters.
The Kano Hisbah Board is a religious organisation in the state established in 2000 and improved in 2003 with the institutionalisation of formerly local and privately maintained Hisbah security units.
The Board is responsible for enforcing Sharia law among Muslims in the state and other parts of Northern Nigeria, promoting moral values and preventing vices. Its functions include advising against immoral activities, reconciling civil disputes, and encouraging charitable deeds.
The Hisbah Board has a specialized corps, known as the Hisbah Corps, which serves as the enforcement arm of the Board. The Corps is headed by a Commander and is responsible for maintaining order, preventing crimes, and enforcing Sharia law. Although the Hisbah Corps has no power to execute arrests, they work closely with the Nigeria Police Force to apprehend suspects. In recent times, the Kano Hisbah Board has been active in arresting individuals suspected of engaging in immoral activities, including secret marriages and prostitution.
