A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos state has ordered the closure of the Ikoyi Marriage Registry and all federal marriage registries, with immediate effect.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Daniel Osiagor, noted that it is unconstitutional for federal government registries to conduct marriages.
Justice Osiagor held that the conduct of marriages and issuance of certificates are statutorily the job of the local governments as provided by the law.
There has been a legal battle between some local government areas in Nigeria against the Federal Government over who has the power to operate marriage registries, conduct marriages and issue marriage certificates.