Addendum:
1. If you dissolve your marriage under option 1, properties are not automatically distributed equally. They are only distributed based on 3 things:
- jointly acquired: If jointly acquired, the property is shared in the same proportion of actual contributions to its acquisition. Only financial contributions suffices.
- solely acquired: not shared.
- matrimonial properties: acquired during the marriage and towards sustenance of the marriage. They are shared based on the proportions contributions towards acquisition and it’s not automatic 50/50. Evidence of contributions must be proved, either through financial and non-financial contributions and the court considers sharing formula based on what is fair and just.
2. If you marry only under 2 and 3, upon divorce, nobody is entitled to any share of any property. You only take what you own in your name.
There are 3 regimes of legal marriages in Nigeria:
1. Statutory marriage: regulated by Matrimonial Causes Act and Marriage Act.
2. Customary/Traditional marriage: regulated by native laws and customs of different communities
3. Islamic marriage: regulated by Shariah/Islamic Law.
a. If you do any of the above, your marriage is LEGAL.
b. If you do 1, 2 and 3 together or 1 and 2 or 1 and 3, with the same person, your marriage is called DOUBLE-DECKER MARRIAGE and it is also LEGAL but usually most complicated marriages to deal with.
c. If you do 1 with one person and you do 2 with another person, your second marriage is VOID.
d. If you do 1 with one person and another 1 with a different person, without a divorce or a dissolution of the first marriage, that second marriage is illegal and constitutes BIGAMY.
e. If you marry someone under 1 and marry another person under 3, your second marriage is not VOID. It is LEGAL.
There are 3 regimes of legal marriages in Nigeria:
1. Statutory marriage: regulated by Matrimonial Causes Act and Marriage Act.
2. Customary/Traditional marriage: regulated by native laws and customs of different communities
3. Islamic marriage: regulated by Shariah/Islamic Law.
a. If you do any of the above, your marriage is LEGAL.
b. If you do 1, 2 and 3 together or 1 and 2 or 1 and 3, with the same person, your marriage is called DOUBLE-DECKER MARRIAGE and it is also LEGAL but usually most complicated marriages to deal with.
c. If you do 1 with one person and you do 2 with another person, your second marriage is VOID.
d. If you do 1 with one person and another 1 with a different person, without a divorce or a dissolution of the first marriage, that second marriage is illegal and constitutes BIGAMY.
e. If you marry someone under 1 and marry another person under 3, your second marriage is not VOID. It is LEGAL.
You carried yourself go do court wedding, and you think you can plead your case using religion as alibi?? 😂
That can only work if your wife doesn't know her rights or chooses to let it slide.
If she decides to act, she can sue you for bigamy, divorce your ass, collect heavy alimony, or send you straight to prison for contempt of court if you fail to pay up!
I’m open to disagreement if I’m wrong , lawyers only 🙏