18/04/2025
I saw a post on Facebook where a lawyer advised netizens who do not have a sustainable source of income not to go into court marriage, because getting a lawyer to file a divorce case is very expensive.
So many people commented their various opinions regarding court marriage, but one comment particularly caught my attention. The person in his comment said:
"Even if I do court marriage, I will not officially file a divorce if the marriage no work. I go just end the marriage and waka commot."
Now let’s be clear, walking out of a statutory marriage without officially divorcing has legal implications.
Court marriage get easy entrance door, but the exit gate dey heavily guarded by law.
Here is Legal implication of statutory marriage;
1. Once you enter into marriage under the Act, you remain married until you are officially divorced.
You cannot “waka commot” and assume you’re free. According to Section 15(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act, a person can only end a statutory marriage by filing a petition for divorce and proving that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
Until this is done or your spouse dies, you are still legally married.
2. You cannot remarry unless the marriage is legally dissolved.
If you go ahead to remarry while still legally married, you commit the crime of Bigamy, which is punishable with 7 years imprisonment under Section 370 of the Criminal Code Act.
So, “just moving on” can earn you free beans in kirikiri. 😁
So no go do court marriage dey reason say you fit just pack your load and disappear like thief wey fear NEPA bill.
Na only court fit give you the “go-ahead” to comot legally, no be by ghosting your partner.
