Court orders closure of Ikoyi Registry, declares All marriages conducted illegal

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the closure of all federal marriage registries opened by the ministry, including the Ikoyi Marriage Registry, with immediate effect.

The court presided over by Justice D. E. Osiagor held that only the local government marriage registries are empowered to conduct marriages by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Justice Osiagor noted that it is unconstitutional for federal government registries to conduct marriages.

He submitted that the conduct of marriages and issuance of certificates are statutorily the job of the local governments as provided by the law.

The judge added that the acts of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Interior, operating marriage registries is beyond their powers and held that all marriages conducted by federal marriage registries or through their agents are illegal and invalid.

DailyPost News: https://dailypost.ng/2021/12/14/court-orders-closure-of-ikoyi-registry-declares-marriages-conducted-illegal/