Both FG, LG Can Operate Marriage Registry – A’Court

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has overturned a Federal High Court decision that barred the Federal Government from registering marriage in certain local government councils across the country.

The appeal court ruled on Wednesday that the Federal Government and local government councils both have the legal jurisdiction to celebrate, contract, and register weddings between prospective couples.

The court ruled that no one organ of government has the sole authority to negotiate and celebrate weddings between prospective couples.

The decision was reached by a three-judge panel led by Justice Abubakar Umar and signed by Justices Jimi Bada (presiding) and Fredrick Oho.

In a December 8, 2021 judgment, Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos barred the Minister of Interior and his privies, agents, or delegates from further registering marriages contracted or celebrated under the Marriage Act, Cap. M6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 within the plaintiffs’ Local Government Councils Area.

‘‘I am, therefore, of the considered view that the restriction imposed by the lower court directing the 1st cross respondent to only conduct, celebrate, and contract marriages in the marriage registries situate at Ikoyi, Lagos and Federal Capital Territory Abuja is wrong and erroneous,” he ruled.