Enforcement of Maintenance (Nafaqa) Orders Against Husbands in Kaduna State Sharia Courts

Islamic law imposes a mandatory maintenance obligation (Nafaqa) on husbands covering the wife's food, clothing, and housing needs for the duration of marriage and the waiting period (Iddah) following divorce or widowhood. The practical enforcement of Nafaqa orders by Sharia courts in Kaduna State reflects both the doctrinal robustness of this obligation and the institutional capacity of the court system. This study examines the legal basis and enforcement effectiveness of Nafaqa orders in Kaduna State Sharia courts from 2013 to 2022. A descriptive empirical methodology is applied, reviewing thirty-five selected court files involving Nafaqa claims and combining them with questionnaire surveys administered to 80 female litigants who had obtained Nafaqa orders. Variables assessed include average award amounts, enforcement mechanisms, payment compliance rates, and barriers faced by women in collecting court-awarded maintenance. Descriptive statistics are computed in SPSS. Literature on family law enforcement in North West Nigeria identifies the absence of effective contempt proceedings and the ease of concealing assets as the primary enforcement obstacles. Classical Maliki jurisprudence on Nafaqa quantification and the doctrine of Tamkin (submission) as a precondition provide the doctrinal framework. Findings are expected to show low voluntary compliance rates and inadequate enforcement infrastructure. Recommendations address judicial enforcement powers, dedicated family law enforcement officers, and procedural reforms to simplify Nafaqa collection for low-income women. Keywords: Nafaqa, maintenance, Kaduna State, Sharia courts, family law enforcement.