Businessman sues ex-fiancee’s father over N260,000 dowry refund
A businessman, Nasiru Dayyabu, has filed a suit before a Shari’a Court in Kaduna seeking the refund of N260,000 paid as dowry and introduction money after his planned marriage was allegedly called off by the bride’s family.
Dayyabu, through his counsel, told the court that he paid N250,000 as dowry and an additional N10,000 as introduction money after formally seeking the hand of Mallam Sani Direba’s daughter in marriage, but the wedding was later cancelled before a date could be fixed.
The matter came up on Wednesday before Shari’a Court II sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, where Dayyabu instituted the action against Direba and two of his brothers, demanding a refund of the money paid during the marriage arrangement.
Counsel to the complainant, Sani Sunusi, told the court that in 2025, Dayyabu had sent representatives from Karaye in Kano State to Kaduna to formally seek the hand of the woman in marriage in line with customary and religious practices.
He explained that following successful introduction and marriage negotiations, the complainant paid the agreed dowry of N250,000 and an additional N10,000 as introduction money, locally known as “kudin gausuwa”, while awaiting the fixing of a wedding date.
Sunusi further told the court that the marriage was unexpectedly cancelled after the bride’s father later informed them of the decision, despite the conclusion of the initial arrangements and payment of the agreed sums.
“We paid the dowry and the introduction money and were waiting for them to set a date for the wedding. Unfortunately, the lady’s father later called to inform us that the marriage had been cancelled,” the counsel said.
He added that despite repeated demands for a refund since September 2025, the defendants allegedly failed to return the money, forcing his client to make several trips from Kano to Kaduna in search of an amicable resolution.
Sunusi stated that Dayyabu had travelled to Kaduna on three separate occasions over the matter and later engaged legal representation, leading to the institution of court proceedings and additional financial burden.
Consequently, the complainant is not only seeking a refund of the N260,000 but is also asking the court to award N250,000 as compensation for expenses and inconvenience incurred during efforts to recover the funds.
In response, the three defendants informed the court that they were ready to refund the N260,000 through the court but opposed the additional compensation claim.
The first defendant argued that it was Dayyabu, and not the bride’s family, who called off the marriage arrangement, insisting that they should not be held liable for damages.
Presiding Judge, Yakubu Abdullahi, thereafter asked the defendants whether they had witnesses to support their claims, and upon receiving an affirmative response, adjourned the matter until June 17 for the hearing of witnesses and continuation of proceedings.