Disregarding Niger culture and local authorities, faith healer Bello Maasaba takes a new wife every few weeks, totaling 107 marriages. Is this his calling from God or just a little bit beyond crazy? He has fathered 185 children and currently has 86 wives.
Niger and Islamic officials are not amused. In the past, Maasaba has been arrested and jailed. But officials have given up and released him after his wives' families testified in court, stating they approve of the marriage.
It seems at his age Bello Maasaba doesn't have bedroom problems. The wives claim they are all in peace with each other in their sprawling eighty-nine room, four-story house and that God instructs them, giving them the "sexual portion" they need.
According to Aishetu Ndayako, "There were no problems between the wives. They were all very peaceful. Honestly, we never had a quarrel, not even once," she says.
"He loved me. The food was good. He slaughtered a cow so many times. He gave enough money to each of the wives."
Is money, food and a peaceful house enough for these women? In a country where women are often beaten by their husbands, Maasaba's house might feel like heaven. But who is to care for them and the 5,000 other people on the compound when he dies?
How many more wives and children will he have? Bello Maasaba believes God told him to marry again and again, often only a few weeks between each marriage. His wealth is from faith healing, and he will continue to do as he is instructed by an angel to take wife after wife. What sane family would let their daughter marry him? It seems at least 107 of them! He might top 200 by 2012 at the rate he is adding wives.
Talk about "taking the cake" for bizarre news! Is it sane for an 87-year-old man to have a one-month-old baby?
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