Ahmad Sani Yerima,Nigerian senator accused of marrying a 13-year-old Egyptian girl 49, told the BBC that his fourth wife was not 13, but would not say how old she was and says that he hasnt done anything wrong.He denied breaking the law but said he would not respect any law that contradicted his religious beliefs.The Nigerian senate ordered an investigation after complaints from women's groups but the senator said he did not care what the groups thought.
A spokesman for the Egyptian embassy in Nigeria has said the girl is still at school in Egypt.
"As a Muslim, as I always say, I consider God's law and that of his prophet above any other law"Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima was reported saying.....Take note it is illegal in Egypt to marry an underage girl.
Mr Sani was the governor of Zamfara state, where he oversaw the introduction of Sharia law - for the first time in a northern state - in 1999. The senator said he had followed "standard rules for marriage in Islam". "I don't care about the issue of age since I have not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned," he said. "History tells us that Prophet Muhammad did marry a young girl as well. Therefore I have not contravened any law. Even if she is 13, as it is being falsely peddled around.
The senator is reported to have paid a dowry of $100,000 (£66,000) to the child's parents - and to have brought the girl into Nigeria from Egypt.The women's groups want Mr Sani to be taken to court, to face a fine and a jail sentence.They say he has contravened the Child Rights Act of 2003 which, although not ratified by all Nigeria's 36 states, is law in the capital, Abuja, where he lives and where his marriage is believed to have taken place.
Honestly, I am just speechless...You decide...
