Activist lawyer Madubuachi Idam stated on Thursday that Nigerian laws do not support a woman receiving 50 percent of her husband’s properties during a divorce.
Idam cautioned women who enter court marriages with the intent of sharing their husband’s properties in the event of a divorce, noting that such expectations are not supported by Nigerian law.
The lawyer explained that in order to claim a share of a spouse’s property, one must provide evidence of contributing to the acquisition of that property.
Idam remarked, “The law that awards 50% or any percentage of a man’s property to his wife during divorce is unfamiliar to Nigerian legal principles. Women who push their partners into court marriage with the hope of sharing property during divorce should be aware that such laws do not exist in Nigeria. Statutory marriage (court marriage) does not allow a Nigerian woman to benefit from her husband’s property without having made a significant contribution. If it were otherwise, divorce would become a lucrative venture for some who are not genuinely interested in marriage but are looking for a way out of poverty.”
He further clarified that in the event of death, the surviving spouse is entitled to the deceased’s properties. However, this right does not apply during a divorce unless there is proof of contribution towards the acquisition of the property.
Idam added, “Laws are territorial, and what is applicable in the UK is not automatically applicable in Nigeria unless it is legislated as law in Nigeria. If your motive for pushing your spouse into statutory marriage is to claim a share of his wealth during a divorce, you may need to reconsider.”
