Popular Nigerian lawyer, Dammy Esquire, has outlined the legal implications of the court wedding between social media personalities Peller and Jarvis, explaining what their union means under Nigerian law.
The lawyer, who congratulated the couple for marrying under the Marriage Act, stated that their marriage is now legally recognised and protected.
She also highlighted several rights and responsibilities that now apply to both spouses.
Lawyer lists legal effects of the marriage
According to Dammy Esquire, the couple’s marriage under the Act brings significant legal consequences.
She wrote: “Married under the Act successfully. Congrats to Peller and Jarvis for putting their union under the law.”
She then outlined 10 legal implications of their marriage:
1. The marriage is legally protected. From the day of their court wedding, their union enjoys legal recognition and protection under the law.
2. Peller cannot legally marry another wife. The lawyer explained that Peller cannot contract another marriage while this one remains valid, unless it is dissolved by a competent court.
3. Side relationships are no longer permitted. She stated that “side chicks are no longer allowed,” stressing the expectation of marital fidelity.
4. A spouse cannot be forcefully evicted from the matrimonial home. According to the lawyer, even if Peller were to find Jarvis in an act of infidelity, he would still have no legal right to throw her out of their matrimonial home.
5. Both spouses have equal rights. Dammy Esquire noted that the marriage grants equal legal rights to both Peller and Jarvis.
6. Jarvis also has a duty to remain faithful. She added that faithfulness is an obligation for both parties in the marriage.
7. Property acquired during the marriage may be subject to shared interests. The lawyer stated that any property acquired from the time of the marriage—whether through financial input, effort, emotional support or what she described as “spiritual contribution”—belongs to both parties. She added that if the marriage ends in divorce, the spouse who contributed would receive a fair share.
8. The marriage takes precedence over conflicting traditional practices. She explained that the couple’s statutory marriage overrides any cultural or traditional customs that conflict with the law.
9. Marriage does not remove fundamental human rights. According to her, both Peller and Jarvis retain their constitutional rights despite being married.
10. Bride price alone cannot end the marriage. She concluded that returning a bride price is not enough to dissolve a statutory marriage, noting that only a court or the death of a spouse can legally bring the marriage to an end.
“Love is emotional, but the law is not”
Dammy Esquire ended his explanation by reminding couples that while emotions may bring people together, marriage under the law comes with legal responsibilities.
“Love is emotional, but the law is not.”
