By John Ikani
A man in Kano, Nigeria’s largest city, has been given a deadline by a court to get rid of his cockerel after his neighbour complained that its constant crowing deprives him of sleep.
According to court proceedings obtained by AFP, Magistrate Halima Wali issued the order against Malam Yusuf on Tuesday, declaring the bird a nuisance to the neighbourhood.
Yusuf had purchased the bird to mark Good Friday and requested until the Christian holy day to slaughter it for a family feast.
Although the judge granted his request, she warned him to ensure the bird doesn’t disturb residents and to abide by the deadline of slaughtering the cockerel or face a penalty.
Keeping livestock and poultry in homes is common in Nigeria, where they are reared for food and as assets for quick cash in financial emergencies.