Chuka Austine Obiozor, a justice, issued a restraining order to
the Icy registry from conducting marriages, saying it is unconstitutional for
the Federal Government to perform the duties of the state and local
governments.
The judgment delivered on Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1760/16 said 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. Addressing a press conference yesterday, Lagos State
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami said the
judgment will be communicated to all stakeholders, including embassies.
He said the decision of the court is supreme and is legally
binding on all and that 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.
According to him, the judgment will put a stop to the perception
of superiority of Ikoyi Marriage Registry over the local government registries.
“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.
In his remarks, 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 judgment would restore
confidence in the certificates already issued and those that will be awarded in
future by the registries.
Source: vanguardnews
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