The Lagos state Government has obtained an order of the court declaring that marriages conducted in the Ikoyi registry are not legally binding.
A Lagos state High Court Justice, Chuka Austine Obiozor, thereafter issued a restraining order on the Federal registry prohibiting them from conducting any more marriages on their premises.
The case with Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1760/16 confirmed that marriage registries in the local government and local council development areas of Lagos state are the authentic and legally-binding government divisions established to carry out such functions.
Muslim Folami, the Lagos state commissioner for local government and community affairs, while addressing a press conference said that the decision will be communicated to all stakeholders all over the state.
The rationale is that the job of Marriage licenses and certificates is the job of the State and Local governments and for the Federal Government to take such a responsibility, it was deemed unconstitutional.
This decision by the High court would be legally binding on all and all marriages conducted and registered in any of the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas are valid and in accordance with the marriage act.
Folami added that this decision will put a stop to the assumption that the Ikoyi registry is superior in some way.
“We are going to use every available platform in the five divisions across the state to sensitize our people and inform them about this latest development; From Epe to Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island,” he said
The question which has arisen, however, is: What happens to the certificates already issued by the Ikoyi registry?
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