by Rachel Ogbu

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has criticised the support shown to a Bida-based Islamic scholar married to 86 women.

Aliyu called for the implementation of the law to stop the practices in the state in order to protect the girl-child.

Aliyu condemned the defense put up for Mohammed Masaba by over 20 human rights groups, saying it was morally wrong and unjustified.

According to reports; Aliyu spoke on Tuesday while swearing-in the first female Chief Judge in the state, Justice Fati Abubakar.  For marrying 86 women, the state government had engaged the cleric in a legal tussle.

“We can deceive ourselves but we cannot deceive God,” he said.

The Punch reports:

The new CJ is the wife of former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The governor, who also decried the incidence of harmful practices against the girl-child,

He urged the Ministry of Women Affairs to avail his office with the report of a committee set up to investigate a man in Gwada, who reportedly poured acid on his wife during a quarrel.

Canvassing better opportunities for women, the governor sought the removal of all impediments to the development of the girl-child.

According to him, the new Chief Judge has been able to attain an enviable height in the judiciary because she followed the path of education.

Describing her as “a paragon of empathy and welfare,” the governor urged her to help to transform the judiciary in the state.

He particularly advised her to instill discipline in the judiciary in order for the citizens to have confidence in the system.

Born on April 12, 1951, Justice Abubakar studied Law at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University