Wife infected with HIV demands N40m damages from husband

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Wife accusing her husband for allegedly infecting her with HIV virus, has demanded him to pay the sum of N40million damages for ruining her life.

Mansur Musa Nyanya was dragged to Upper Shariah court sitting at Sabon Gari, Kano State, by his two wives, one of which he allegedly infected with the deadly virus, seeking for divorce and N40million damages respectively.

In his verdict, the presiding judge, Mallam Faruk Ahmad, dissolved the defendant’s marriage, who has never appeared before the court throughout the proceedings, with the first complainant, who was not infected with the virus but demanded for divorce, and transferred the case of the second complainant, allegedly infected with HIV virus to Upper Shariah Court sitting at Kasuwar Kurmi, Kano, for continuation of the trial.

Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Mallam Rabiu Aminu Dausayi of Upper Shariah court, Kasuwar Kurmi, ordered the prosecution counsel to offer witnesses on the matter, while the defense counsel ordered to bring the defendant in person, and then adjourned the matter to 14th November, 2014 for continued hearing.

But, the defense counsel, Aminu Muhammad Usman, offered to enter into reconciliation by both parties, the decision that was accepted by both the court and the prosecution counsel.

Responding on the decision, the prosecution counsel, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, labeled the offer for reconciliation as a welcome development, adding that they stick to the N40million damages despite the reconciliation, because it serves as a compensation for a life that is being infected with a deadly disease.

Speaking on the matter, the chairperson of the Voice of Orphans and Widows Association of Nigeria (VOWAN), Hajiya Altine Abdullahi, stated that, “Since the first day we came to this court, I saw the sign of success in the court. Therefore, since the accused person has begun to surrender, then we are ready to accept the reconciliation. But he must pay the stated N40million damages because he has killed the woman by infecting her with a lethal virus.” She insisted.