FACTORS THAT WILL DETERMINE AWARD OF MAINTENANCE – MATRIMONIAL

It seems to me that given the state of civilization, we have reached in this country today and bearing in mind, the emancipation of the women folks into the sold orbit of financial empire in this country today, it seems to be that the sum, if any, to be awarded for the maintenance of a party to a matrimonial proceeding or even the child or children of the marriage should be determined by among other facts: “(1) the stations in life of the parties and their lifestyles, (2) their respective means, (3) the existence or non-existence of child or children of the marriage, and (4) the conduct of the parties.”

– ADEREMI, J.C.A. Mueller v. Mueller (2005)

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MATRIMONIAL ISSUES CANNOT BE BROUGHT VIA THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS RULES

The application for the enforcement of the Appellant’s fundamental rights to personal property, family and private life, dignity of her person and against discrimination was brought at the trial Court in subtle way to settle the Appellant’s matrimonial dispute with her estranged husband and brother-in-law, respectively the 1st and 2nd Respondents herein. The Appellant had ingenuously crafted an otherwise matrimonial causes matter to fit into the special procedure offered by the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules (FREPR). That special procedure, on the peculiar facts of this case, does not avail her to ventilate her matrimonial dispute.

— Ejembi Eko, JSC. Nwachukwu v Nwachukwu (2018) – SC.601/2013

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JURISDICTION IN DIVORCE PETITION IS GOVERNED BY DOMICILE

It was held in Koku v. Koku (1999) 8 NWLR (Pt.616) 672 CA that:- “Jurisdiction of court to hear a divorce petition is governed by the domicile of the husband and not by the residence of the husband. And by operation of law, a married woman, on marriage, takes on the domicile of her husband. Consequently, the court with jurisdiction to adjudicate on a divorce matter is the court of the domicile of the husband Bhojwani v Bhojwani (1996) 6 NWLR (pt.457) 661”. Omotunde v. Omotunde (2000) – CA/I/M.57/2000

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MAINTENANCE IN DIVORCE CASES

LUMSDEN v. LUMSDEN (1963) 5 FLR 388, the Supreme court of Victoria said on the issue of award of maintenance and I quote from 392 thus: “Maintenance is intended to provide for the needs of the wife and not mark disapproval of the husband’s conduct.”

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MATRIMONIAL RIGHTS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER IV CFRN

I hold the firm view the rights to conjugal rights, to continue to be married to an unwilling spouse, and not to separate and call quits to a marriage are not fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution, 1999. The matrimonial causes so called under Section 114 of Matrimonial Causes Act which include dissolution and nullification of marriage, separation and restitution of conjugal rights, though apparently statutory, do not constitute fundamental rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution and for the purpose of FREPR.

— Ejembi Eko, JSC. Nwachukwu v Nwachukwu (2018) – SC.601/2013

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DOMICILE IS THE BASIS OF JURISDICTION IN MATRIMONIAL CAUSES

The basis of jurisdiction in matrimonial causes under the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1970, is domicile. It is the domicile of a person that confers jurisdiction on the court to entertain his or her petition for dissolution of marriage. Where the domicile of a petitioner is not established the court will lack jurisdiction to decree a dissolution of marriage.

— O.O. Adekeye, JCA. Omotunde v. Omotunde (2000) – CA/I/M.57/2000

COST NOT AWARDED IN MATRIMONIAL MATTER

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FACTORS THAT WILL DETERMINE AWARD OF MAINTENANCE – MATRIMONIAL

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MATRIMONIAL ISSUES CANNOT BE BROUGHT VIA THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS RULES

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JURISDICTION IN DIVORCE PETITION IS GOVERNED BY DOMICILE

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MAINTENANCE IN DIVORCE CASES

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MATRIMONIAL RIGHTS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER IV CFRN

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DOMICILE IS THE BASIS OF JURISDICTION IN MATRIMONIAL CAUSES

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