DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS.

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0.0: INTRODUCTION

It is universally accepted that, marriage is the union between a man and a woman.1Marriage is a universal institution, which is recognised and respected all over the world. Therefore, marriage is a contract whereby the parties enter into a legal relationship involving rights and obligations. As a social institution, marriage is governed by the social, religious and legal norms of the society. Consequently, the sanctity of marriage is a well-accepted principle in the world community. Marriage is the root of the family and of society.

The domestic relation laws of most states and particularly of the state of New York define marriage as ‘a civil contract to which the consent of the parties is essential...’

Unlike most European countries, two systems of marriage are recognised in Nigeria- the monogamous and polygamous systems. These two systems differ

1Nwogugu E.I ‘Family Law in Nigeria’ (Heinman Educational Books Nig) PLC 1990 pixxvii.

fundamentally in character and incidents. Based on this, in every case concerning marriage, the lawyers has in the first instance to determine the type of marriage involved in order to enable him apply the appropriate law to determine the incidents.

A monogamous marriage in Nigeria is the same as in England. It is the marriage which Lord Penzance in Hyde v Hyde2 described as ‘.....the voluntary union for life of one man and woman to the exclusion of all others’.

A polygamous marriage may be defined as a voluntary union for life of one man with one or several wives. Its essential characteristic is the capacity of the man to take as many wives as he pleases. The character and the incidents of the system are governed by customary law.

This essay therefore, is set to examine the problems of dissolution of marriage and providing a solution to it. It is of paramount importance to shed light to this. Dissolution of marriage is the breaking up of a union.

2(1886) LR 1 P & D 130, 133.

Dissolution of marriage has its unpleasant impact, not only on the couple and their children but also on the society as a whole. Children of divorced marriage are usually the black sheep in a family set up and in the society as a whole. If, we should consider the resources the government expends in curtailing social problems in the society, then one should endeavour to proffer solution on one of the problems that actually precipitates social problems in our society.

However, dissolution of marriage has its great implication; it causes great emotional stress to the couples, their children and relations. It also has its great socio and economic problems to the nation. Most of these children develop psychological problems or even health problem. Such children may eventually become criminals due to lack of parental care as a result of the broken home syndrome.

Children are the future of a nation. They deserve proper care. They need proper education and attention. They need good health and emotional stability. They need to be taught patriotism, self discipline and good deed. Stability in the home can only ensure all the above. Where this is lacking, a child will be denied all the above and this will not augur well for the stability of our society

and the future of our nation may be put in jeopardy. How will the future of a nation be where its future leaders are emotionally traumatised as a result of the dissolution of their parents’ marriage

1.1.0: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Marriage has been defined as the civil status condition or relation of one man and one woman united in law, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties legally incumbent on those whose association is founded on the distinction of sex.

However, dissolution of marriage is the legal separation of man and wife, effected by judgement or decree of a court, and either totally dissolving the marriage relation or suspending its effect so far as it concerns the cohabitation of parties.3

The study is concerned with the problems of dissolution of marriage and likely solutions. As it will be pointed out later, there are different types of marriage.

3 Black’s Law Dictionary 5TH Ed P.431.

One is statutory while the other ones are customary and Islamic in nature and they differ fundamentally in character and incidents.

Dissolving or bringing to an end a statutory marriage ought not to give room to any controversy as such because the grounds for dissolution of man are well spelt out by the statute. It should be noted that at the time of dissolving a marriage, the legal system, and the parties, can use the occasion to survey the history of the marriage, to weigh and evaluate the contribution made to it by each spouse and to arrive at a final balance sheet. Instead of abrupt termination without legal process, which may cause some detriment to either of the party?

1.2.0: OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The major objectives of this long essay are as follows:

1. To provide enlightenment to intending couples on how to ensure stability in marriage.
2. To encourage good harmonious relationship not only among intending couples but also among married persons.
3. To redirect the attention of parents to the need to consider the well being of their children instead of seeking for divorce.
4. To draw attention to the social and economic problems children of divorced couples pose for a nation.
5. To let all and sundry be aware of the evil of dissolution of marriage and the need to avoid it at all cost.
6. To call attention to the need for a review and harmonisation of the various laws on marriages and dissolution in Nigeria.

1.3.0: FOCUS OF STUDY

The focus of this essay is on the problems of dissolution of marriage, how it affects not only the parties but also the children and the society at large. Thereafter, provide a lasting solution to it.

The researcher tends to focus on the causes of divorce, the problems it conceive or entails. The effect on the parties, which in some cases often result to emotional and psychological breakdown. This essay also focuses on how dissolution of marriage affects the children and the society.

1.4.0: SCOPE OF STUDY

This essay is based on dissolution of marriage: problems and prospects, particularly under the Act and customary law. We shall examine both the customary and statutory dissolution of marriage alongside with their grounds.

There is a considerable difference between dissolution of marriage celebrated under the customary law and that contracted under the Acts.

Dissolution of marriage is the legal separation of man and wife, effected by judgement or decree of a court, and either totally dissolving the marriage relation or suspending its effect so far as it concerns the cohabitation of parties.

Dissolution of marriage can only result from the order of a judge or magistrate. The order is sometimes called a decree of dissolution of marriage. The matter comes before a judge on the filing of a petition for dissolution, as it’s called in most states and after the parties has agreed to terms for dividing their property.

However, it is pertinent to note that, our concentration is on the problems of dissolution of marriage and providing a lasting solution to these problems.

1.5.0: METHODOLOGY

The study will rely on primary and secondary sources of information. The primary sources will include the various statutory enactments directly and indirectly relating to trust in Nigeria.

The secondary sources will include text books, reports, articles and journal, and other relevant materials.

The work will be subjected to content analysis.

1.6.0: LITERATURE REVIEW

This study undertakes a fresh and contemporary study of dissolution of marriage: problems and prospects. This study will take a comprehensive approach on the subject.

According to Edvard Westermarck4 defined marriage as a more or less durable connection between male and female lasting beyond the mere act of propagation till after the birth of the offspring. He rejected his earlier

4 Edvard Westermarck, The Future of Marriage in Western Civilization (1936)

definition, instead provisionally defining marriage as a relation of one or more men to one or more women that is recognised by custom or law.

Margaret C. Onokah5 submitted that, dissolution of marriage under customary law can be obtained extra judicially while a statutory marriage can be dissolved in a court having jurisdiction under the MCA 1970.

Grant Thomton6 in an annual study in the United Kingdom, estimates the main proximal causes of dissolution of marriage based on surveys of matrimonial lawyers and they are; extra-marital affairs, emotional or physical abuse, mid-life crisis, addictions e.g. alcoholism and gambling, workaholism.

1.7.0: DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Marriage – marriage is a universal institution which is recognised and respected all over the world. As a social institution, marriage is founded on, and governed by the social and religious norms of society.

1. Margret C. Onokah: ‘Family law’ (Spectrum Books Limited) 2003

1. Grant Thomton (2005). ‘Marriage, Money and Divorce in Medieval Society’ (Cambridge University Press),pg2.

• Monogamous marriage –in Nigeria, monogamous marriage is the same as in England. It is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

• Polygamous marriage – it may be defined as a voluntary union for life of one man with one or several wives. Its essential characteristic is the capacity of the man to take as many wives as he pleases.

• Volenti non fit injuria – no injury is done to a person who is willing. That is, to the consenting no injury is done.

• Animus deserendi – bringing cohabitation to an end.

• Quoadhunc – a person who seeks to know all latest new or gossip, that is implying someone constantly asking what is new.

1.8.0: CONCLUSION

It is of importance to note that in finding a solution to dissolution of marriage, the rate at which parent will intervene in their children’s marriage should be reduced, the age of marriage should be reduced, the age of marriage should also be increased. The theme of this essay is therefore geared towards the real