Customary divorce invalid without returning bride price, Lawyers warn

[Augusta]

Some Lagos-based lawyers have underscored the importance of bride price in validating customary divorces, warning that a woman may remain married even after a court-ordered divorce if customary requirements are not fulfilled
The lawyers asserted in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to one of the lawyers, Mrs Jumoke Ajayi, bride price plays a decisive role in the dissolution of customary marriages.

She noted that under customary law, the return or formal waiver of the bride price is central to a valid divorce.

“The mere issuance of a divorce order by a customary court does not automatically end a customary marriage.

 

[Stardom22]

Of course yes. The same applies in my country as the bride prices remains as a centre for a marriage validation.

 

[Augusta]

Bride price is central to a valid divorce, and you must return it.