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Hadijatou Mani is sold into slavery
At 12 years old, Hadijatou Mani is sold by the head of the Kenouar tribe, to El Hadji Souleymane Naroua (age 46), for 240,000 CFA francs (approximately 560 CAD) An image of Ms. Mani, age 24 (after the events of this case were resolved) is shown. -
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Hadijatou Mani's Slavery
Ms. Mani was a "sadaka" (fifth wife) for El Hadji for 9 years. -
Incident during period of slavery
When Ms. Mani was 13, she reported that she was raped by El hadji, and forced to bear his children. She was working on his fields, when he jumped on her, and began to sexually assualt her. This is the first of many violent acts against her, based on presumed or real insubordination. -
Ms. Mani's Emancipation
On this day, El Hadji issued a certificate of emancipation to Ms. Mani, which was signed by the beneficiary, master, and the chief of the village. After her Emancipation, Ms. Mani decided to leave the house, but El Hadji claimed that she was still his wife. Nevertheless, she left, on the excuse that her mother was sick. -
Ms. Mani's engagement
During the proceedings of the court, Ms. Mani returned to her home, and was engaged to a Ladan Rabo. -
Konni Civil Court Case
On the 14th of February in 2006, Ms. Mani went to the Konni Civil Court, to assert her freedom from El Hadji. On the 20th of March, Ms. Mani was free from El Hadji, due to the fact that because there was no religious celebration of marriage, there had never been one in a proper sense of the word. The image shows Birnin Konni, the town where the civil and high court cases were held. -
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Cycle of Judgements
After the Konni Civil Court's judgement is decided, El Hadji appeals to the Konni High Court, and on the 16th of June, the Judgement of the Civil Court is voided. However, shortly after, Ms. Mani appeals this decision to the Supreme Court of Niamey, and on December the 28th, the decision of the High Court is voided. -
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El Hadji accuses Ms. Mani of Bigamy
After learning of the Marriage of Ms. Mani, El Hadji files a case against Ms. Mani, claiming bigamy, on January the 11th, 2007. On May the 2nd, 2007, Ms. Mani (and her brother and husband, Koraou Mani and Ladan Rabo) are found guilty of bigamy, and sentenced to 6 months of prison, along with a 50,000 CFA fine per person, in compliance with article 290 of the penal code of Niger. Ms. Mani appeals this decision on the same day it is made. However, she is arrested, in compliance with article 290. -
El Hadji accused of Slavery
While Ms. Mani serves her prison sentence, her counsel (SPCA Chaibi-Nanzir) files a case against El Hadji, for criminal offence of slavery, using article 270 (2) and (3) of the Penal Code of Niger. -
Konni High Court approves divorce of Ms. Mani and El Hadji
At the same time as the criminal proceedings of El Hadji, the Konni high court approves of Ms. Mani's request for a divorce, on the condition that she observes widowhood for 3 month before she remarries. El Hadji appeals this decision. -
Ms. Mani is released from prison.
After adjudicating the decision of the criminal division of the high court, the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Niamey ordered that Ms. Mani and her brother be released, Ladan Rabo's arrest warrant revoked, and that the divorce case be re-examined. A picture of Niamey is shown, where the trial and judgement was held. -
Ms. Mani is interviewed on her story.
Ms. Mani, after requesting ECOWAS (The community court of Justice) to better protect people from slavery after her incident, was interviewed by BBC news on her story. Ms. Mani said one of the reasons she took these court actions is to secure the freedom and safety of her children, as well. It is also said, that a local organisation has estimated that there are about 40,000 more slaves in Niger. It is also known that slavery is still practised in Mali and Mauritania.
