Court stops Ikoyi registry from conducting marriages

The Lagos State government has secured a court injunction restraining the Federal Government’s owned Registry in Ikoyi from conducting marriages.

The judgement was delivered by Hon Chuka Aunstine Obiozor in the suit No: FHC/L/CS/1760/16.

Justice Obiozor held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Government to perform the duties of the state and local governments in that regard.

The judgment held 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.

According to him, the judgment will put a stop to the perception of superiority of Ikoyi Marriage Registry over the local government registries.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, at a press conference, said that the judgment of the court was binding on every organisation and institution in the state, including embassies.

Folami said that there will also be a sensitisation campaign to inform all the registries in the state about the decision.

He said “We are going to use the five divisions across the state to sensitise our people and inform them about this latest development. From Epe to Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island.

“The sensitization walk which we embarked on today is also a way of creating awareness and letting the people know of this latest development.”

Also speaking, Deji Sokeye, the president of the marriage registrars in all the local government and local council development areas, said the responsibilities of the LGAs/LCDAs has come back to them by the virtue of the law and as provided for in section 30 (1) of the marriage act and section 7 (5) of the 1999 constitution.

He said the judgement would restore confidence in certificates already issued and those that will be awarded in future by the registries.

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