An Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday, 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, held in a ruling that the court did not recognise divorces conducted traditionally.
The court further held that, according to the law, the couple were still 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 until July 6.
Earlier, Uzochukwu told the court that his wife threw him out of their rented apartment four years ago and they had since been living separately.
He said that the traditional ruler of their village dissolved the traditional marriage they had.
”The dowry I paid was returned to me. I want to make claims to some other property,” he said.
