A Moroccan woman at the centre of a social media controversy over her whereabouts has been in Morocco since April, her lawyer, Bilkisu Abdulrasheed Chedi, has said.
Chedi, Executive Director of Women Aware of Rights Initiative, dismissed claims that Khadija Diab was being kept by Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, describing the allegation as false.
According to the lawyer, Khadija returned to Morocco in April 2026 and has since been staying with her family.
Chedi explained the circumstances in a video shared on the verified Facebook page of Gumi on Tuesday, amid claims made online by Khadija’s husband, Nasiru Idris Musa.
“So all the allegations that she has been with Sheikh Gumi are false and unfounded because it’s not possible for a person to be in two different countries at the same time,” she said.
Chedi said Women Aware of Rights Initiative became involved in Khadija’s case in October 2025 after the woman allegedly reported domestic abuse, inadequate feeding and maintenance, as well as what she described as an “unlawful and unnatural conjugal relationship” involving her husband.
She said the organisation advised Khadija to undergo medical examinations following the allegations and that the results indicated she had contracted sexually transmitted diseases.
The lawyer said Khadija subsequently expressed her desire to leave the marriage, citing alleged emotional and physical abuse.
Legal proceedings were thereafter initiated at the Area Sharia Court on Daura Road, Kaduna, with the case first mentioned on October 3, 2025.
Chedi said proceedings were adjourned to November 11 after the husband’s lawyer filed an application seeking reconciliation.
She said subsequent proceedings were slowed by a change of counsel, with the new lawyer challenging the court’s jurisdiction. The case was further affected by the absence of lawyers and a judicial strike in Kaduna.
According to Chedi, the prolonged legal process left Khadija emotionally distressed and she eventually decided to return to Morocco.
She alleged that Khadija’s international passport was in her husband’s possession at the time, prompting the organisation to assist her in obtaining an emergency travel document from the Moroccan authorities.
Chedi said Khadija subsequently travelled to Morocco and that her family informed the organisation after her arrival that she had reached home safely.
She added that Moroccan immigration authorities and the Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria separately confirmed Khadija’s arrival.
Before leaving Nigeria, Chedi said, Khadija authorised her to continue handling the legal proceedings on her behalf.
The lawyer said the case before the Daura Road Sharia Court was eventually discontinued on June 10, 2026.
She added that a fresh case seeking dissolution of the marriage under Sharia law was filed in July.
Chedi urged members of the public to disregard claims linking Khadija’s whereabouts to Gumi, saying her statement was intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding the case.
She maintained that Khadija had been in Morocco since April and was currently with her family.
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