Divorce Conducted Traditionally Not Recognised, Court Tells Couple

An Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has directed Mr Mmala Uzochukwu and his wife, Mary, to formally and legally dissolve their marriage before they can make certain claims.

The presiding judges, Mr Sunday Adeniyi and Hammad Ajumonbi, ruled that the court does not recognise divorces conducted traditionally.

They held yesterday that, under the law, the couple remained married until a lawful authority dissolved the union.

“The only divorce that can be recognised is the one done in a court; you have to file for divorce before anything can be claimed.

“You, as a husband, should take responsibility for your children’s upkeep, pending the conclusion of the case,” the judges held.

The case was adjourned to July 6, 2026.

Earlier, Uzochukwu told the court that his wife had thrown him out of their rented apartment four years ago, and that they had been living separately since then.

He said that the traditional ruler of their village dissolved their traditional marriage.

“The bride price I paid was returned to me. I want to make claims to some other property,” he said. (NAN)