CUSTOMARY LAW MARRIAGES ARE NOT REGISTERED, CERTIFICATES ARE NOT ISSUED TO COUPLES - PROF. OMORUYI

BY LEO EZEKIEL

 

Speaking as the guest lecturer at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin Branch (The Lion Bar) at her Annual Law week 3^rd-7^th July, 2023, Dean, Faculty of Law and Member Governing Council, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Professor Ikpomwonsa Omoruyi states that customary law marriages are not registered and as well as no certificates are issued to couples adding that the customary law marriages do not provide protection for women. 

Speaking further to erudite and cerebral learned colleagues of his with the topic “Rising incidence of Double Decker “ Marriages in Nigeria Legal issues clearly and loudly states that marriage is a universal norm, husbands and wives, husbands and husbands, wives and wives adducing that marriage is a universal institution which is recognized all over the globe. He added that the Customary Law Marriage, encourages polygamous marriages between one man and many wives whereas he opined that monogamous marriage in the Nigerian Law on monogamous marriage corresponds with that of England. He added that Double Decker marriage is one in which the parties seek common grounds where the said marriage shall be a beneficiaries to the couples. 

He added that both marriages under double decker stand point has its own legal frame work for the couples. He added again that since customary law marriage do not issue certificates to the couples, all the persons need to answer when asked if he or she is married is always answered by words of mouth adducing that the statutory kind of marriages that there are registrations and issuance of certificates to the couples. Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline the chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch (The Lion Bar) Barr. Francis Nosa Edo Osagie states that the 2023 Annual Law week of NBA, Benin Branch has been most explosive adding that other branches have been taken a cue from her as regards the political issues they have handled since the 3^rd of July 2023 which was their official opening ceremony with the theme “General Elections in Nigeria 2023, A review of the Nation’s Political Culture and Electoral Integrity and that the key note speaker was Femi Falana SAN, Lawyer and Human Right Activist. He added that Falana spoke on some judicial pronouncements and that at day two the Double Decker Marriages have been well talked about by Prof Omoruyi, Dean, Faculty Law, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. 

He added that Customary Law Marriages do not need registrations and certificates which is quite different from the English system. He added that there is so much lacuna that they are willing to cure and that they will be a communique that will address all these issues and that they will take it to the Edo State House of Assembly so that a bill could be raised from it and finally be passed into law. He added that their 2023 Annual Law Week has been so engaging and stimulating. He states that that day three premises to be more explosive, explosive in the sense of they have been in last two days. 

He concurs that it is also explosive to them as regards what the lecture topics have been doing to them as a people in the society. He added that NBA, Benin Branch by all standards has lived above her tenets in terms of upholding the rule of law in the society. He added that this is just beginning of good things to happen to her as commendations have been pouring in for the new administration of NBA, Benin Branch which is called the Dream Team. He added that their Exco members have been up and doing as regards, the 2023 Annual Law week. Barr. Mark Ebieh is the master of ceremonies and of a truth he did well with his anchoring of the event which took place at the New High Building Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State.