A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that local government councils are statutorily responsible for issuing marriage certificates in Nigeria.
Justice Daniel Osaigor gave the ruling in a suit marked FHC/ LS/CS/816/18 and filed by Eti Osa Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos. The LGA challenged the power of the interior ministry to operate marriage registries, conduct weddings and issue marriage certificates.
In the suit which also had the attorney-general of the federation joined as a defendant, the LGA asked the court to declare that the Federal Government has no business in conducting marriages and issuing marriage certificates.
The plaintiffs also prayed the court to order the closure of all marriage registries opened and operated by the federal ministry of interior or any of their agents, including the Ikoyi Registry.
It was not immediately clear if the court nullified all weddings conducted by the Ikoyi Registry.
In 2018, Justice Chuka Obiozor of a Lagos High Court, while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1760/16, issued a restraining order against Ikoyi Registry from conducting marriages, saying it is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to perform the duties of the state and local governments.
