BRIDE PRICE IN NIGERIA

A policeman Anthony Ibere has told  the Igando customary court in  Lagos state, Nigeria that his wife Uloma should return the bride price he paid to her parent if she insists on divorce.The wife Uloma filled a petition for a dissolution on the ground that her husband is a drunkard and beats her.......culled Lazywrita's blog

The collection of bride price under the customary law in Nigeria is an essential ingredient of  a valid customary marriage in the country.They usually come in different form ranging yam, palmwine, goat, clothes e.t.c

Bride price can simply be defined as any gift in money,goods paid by the groom or his payment to the families of the bride.There is no uniformity in the collection of brideprice in Nigeria because of the difference in ethnic groups.

The issue for determination now is whether a husband or his family can successfully ask for a refund of the bride price paid to the families of his wife in a divorce case before a customary court.

IN NWANGWA V.UBANI I(1997) 10 NWLR on whether the customary law marriage betweenthe furst respondent and MR Ubani was dissolved, the appellant relied on a letter written to the first TV respondent to move out of the compound, the court held that customary law marriage between the parties were not properly dissolved as no  bride price and other expenses incurred during the marriage were not refunded inaccordance with the customary law marriage.......NIKKKI TOBI JCA

from the decision of the learned judge above, we have seen that for a valid dissolution of marriage under the native law and custom bride price earlier collected must  be refunded.

what Then is the gain of a woman that has dedicated  several years of her life to a man/home, read my write up marriage under the Act.

Thank You

Oyenike Alliyu-Adebiyi LLB(hons) BL