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The Ondo Court Has characterized The Igbo Bride Price Tradition As Malevolent And Unrighteous
The Ondo Court Has characterized The Igbo Bride Price Tradition As Malevolent And Unrighteous....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
An Akure Magistrate Court has strongly criticized the customs and traditions of the Igbo ethnic group that, due to the non-payment of bride price, deny a father his rights to his children, deeming it as morally wrong and unjust.
According to Magistrate Segun Stephen Rotiba, “The practice that penalizes one individual when two consenting adults are involved in an action is the epitome of insensitivity and servitude.”
The Magistrate censured the Igbo tradition that deprives a father of access and parental rights to his children over the non-payment of bride price to the wife’s family.
While delivering the verdict in the case of Prophet Theophilus Obayan and his estranged wife, Prophetess Chibuzor Lilian, the Magistrate observed that this custom unjustly punished the man.
Prophet Obayan is of Yoruba origin, and his estranged wife is from Abia State. They both served as leaders of the Divine Prophetic Solutions Prayers Ministry in Ladipo, Lagos State, until Prophetess Chibuzor left her husband to marry one of his spiritual sons, Abua Obi, and changed their children’s last name to Obi.
However, Obayan filed for divorce on the grounds that his wife changed his children’s last name to that of her new husband. He requested the court to dissolve their 23-year marriage, restore his paternity rights, and grant him custody of the children.
In his ruling, Magistrate Rotiba dissolved the marriage, citing that the parties had lost interest in the union and granted Obayan’s request to regain custody of his four children.
He emphasized that the evidence presented in court revealed that the Respondent acknowledged that, since the Petitioner did not pay her bride price, her new husband, who did pay it, had the right for the children to bear his name in accordance with Igbo tradition.
Magistrate Rotiba remarked, “Simultaneously, I find the Igbo custom embraced by the Respondent and her witnesses, allowing the children of the marriage to bear Mr. Abua Obi as their last name, to be archaic, barbaric, wicked, ungodly, irrational, senseless, crude, reckless, provocative, unjust, and insensible.
“The practice of punishing one individual when two consenting adults are involved in the matter is the height of insensitivity and servitude. I strongly denounce this practice. During the proceedings, a publication was made on February 2, 2023, in Vanguard newspapers, changing the last name of the first two children of the couple to Abua Obi.
“Besides the fact that the Respondent was found to be complicit in changing the last name of the first two children, this also amounts to subjudice, as no action is expected to be taken on the matter when it is pending before the Court.
“This is a blatant disregard for the Court. I need not say more. In conclusion, the Court dissolves the marriage between the parties due to its irreparable breakdown.
“The Court unequivocally rejects the custom of the Respondent bestowing paternal identity on a man who is not the biological father of the children.
“The Court invalidates and declares void the publication changing the last name of the first and second children from Obayan to Abua Obi.
“The Court also invalidates any other publication or action changing the children’s last name from Obayan to Abua Obi during the pendency of this case.”
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has maintained that there is no constitutional provision preventing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, from contesting the Imo West senatorial seat in the 2027 elections while still serving as governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South-East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the clarification while responding to arguments questioning the governor’s eligibility.
He cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
According to him, the provision only prohibits a sitting governor from occupying two offices simultaneously and does not prevent the person from seeking a party nomination, contesting or winning another election.
Arodiogbu also referenced Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate his legislative seat upon assuming an executive position.
He argued that the provision recognises the possibility of moving between executive and legislative offices, provided the two positions are not held at the same time.
He said, “There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law.”
The APC chieftain further stated that appellate courts, in interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution, had held that resignation was only necessary when a candidate was about to assume a new office.
He added that no provision of the Electoral Act imposes a general restriction on a sitting governor seeking election into the Senate.
Arodiogbu also argued that Uzodimma’s tenure, which is expected to end in January 2028, does not constitute a legal obstacle, insisting that any transition would be carried out in accordance with the Constitution after the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
He said, “The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability.”
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodimma as its candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and urged party members to disregard what he described as speculative legal arguments.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, ruled that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, won the APC senatorial primary for the district.
The Imo State Government has indicated that it would appeal the judgment.
Human rights activist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has vowed that the party will adopt a tougher approach ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Yesufu declared that the NDC would be both refined and rugged, insisting that no group or individual had a “monopoly of madness.”
She warned that the party would not tolerate intimidation or attacks against its members, adding that supporters would stand their ground whenever they were threatened.
Naija News reports that she made the declaration on Thursday following an attack on NDC supporters ahead of the party’s town hall meeting at the Classic Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos State.
According to Yesufu, the political campaign was not solely about the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but belonged to everyone supporting the movement.
She said, “In 2023 we were refined, in 2027 we will be refined and rugged. Nobody has monopoly of madness and anybody wey say him dey crase we go send am go psychiatric hospital. We are not slaves, we are citizens. This campaign is not Peter Gregory Obi campaign, it is our campaign.”
Recall that the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos State, turned violent after suspected political thugs invaded the venue and attacked party supporters.
According to The Cable, the attackers, who were armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, disrupted the event and forced participants to flee for safety.
Chairs and other items at the venue were reportedly scattered during the attack.
The incident allegedly left some supporters injured and several vehicles damaged. A journalist covering the event was also reportedly assaulted, while his recording equipment was taken.
The confrontation later spread to Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting traffic before police operatives arrived and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, has died at the age of 50.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Shinkafi reportedly passed away on Wednesday in Kaduna State following a brief illness.
News reports that Governor Dauda Lawal announced the commissioner’s death in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
Reacting to the development, Lawal expressed sadness over the loss, describing Shinkafi’s death as an irreparable loss to the state government and the people of Zamfara.
The governor noted that the late commissioner’s contributions to governance, politics and public service would remain memorable.
He said, “With heavy hearts and in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (T), we received the shocking news of the passing of the Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi.
“Tasiu’s death is a great loss not only to his family and the state government, but also to the people of Zamfara.
“He will be remembered for his dedication, honesty, and commitment to Zamfara State.
“He served diligently as Commissioner for Youth and Sport before being redeployed to the Ministry of Commerce.
“As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his contributions to governance, politics, and public service will be remembered.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give his family the strength to bear this great loss.”
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