Coronavirus: Nigerian lawyer makes case for online marriages to avoid delay

A Nigerian lawyer, Spurgeon Ataene, has called on need to accept virtually or electronically marriages, following ravaging coronavirus across the globe, adding that the practice should be adopted to enable individuals to get married amid the pandemic

Penpushing reports that, Ataene said, although the procedure was not envisaged by the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes and Rules, but argued that following the recent development circumstances had made it necessary.

“Marriages conducted virtually or electronically is not conjectured by the matrimonial Causes Act and Rules, but it can be adopted considering prevailing circumstances. However, the most important things to look out for before entering into marriage and which should also be the concern of those involved, must remain the principal focus.

”Whether marriages are to be conducted virtually or physically, the most important factors must be in place. Both persons must be of sound mind, they must be of age, their consent must be given, and in Nigeria, the union must be between a man and a woman,” he said.

The Lagos based legal practitioner posited that, once the conditions are met, an official in any designated position empowered to conduct marriages can proceed with it whether electronically or virtually.

“The important thing is that the marriage is between two consenting adults, who have also consented to virtual or electronic marriage. Once the conditions necessary for a marriages to take place are met, the said marriage should be valid whether the parties are physically or electronically present, he emphasised

Meanwhile, it is recalled that, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recently  introduced the concept of virtual court proceedings and issued guidelines to be adopted by all courts in Nigeria as part of its effort to mitigate the spread of the virus.