Lagos LGs Begin Issuance Of Form ‘E’ Marriage Certificates

In compliance with the Lagos High Court judgment, Local
Governments in Lagos State have begun the issuance of Form ‘E’
Marriage Certificates.

The Lagos High Court had recently ruled that the issuance of
modified unified marriage certificates by Local Governments and
Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs Marriage Registries was
illegal and not in line with Form ‘E’ as stipulated in section 24
of the Marriage Act.

At a news conference on Thursday at the Lagos State Government
Secretariat, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria,
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim
Folami, said the Lagos High Court verdict did not in any way
undermine the constitutional rights and responsibilities of the
local governments to conduct, regulate and register marriages.

“It only emphasized that the issuance of marriage certificates
by the LG Marriage Registries should conform with the Marriage Act
and the need for re-issuance of marriage certificates to affected
persons and that the marriages already conducted are still valid
and good.

“Moreover, Item 1 (i), Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution
as amended states that the Local Government is responsible for
registration of births, death and marriages,” he said.

According to Folami, after consultation with the Ministry of
Justice, the state government had complied with the said judgment
by printing the Form ‘E’ stated in the Marriage Act which has
already been circulated to the 57 LGs/LCDAs Marriage Registries
across the state.

“Hence, marriages conducted in all LGs and LCDAs Marriage
Registries are authentic and accepted worldwide.”

Folami said anyone issued with the old modified unified marriage
certificate and wished to get the Form ‘E’ marriage certificate
should come forward for such.

In compliance with the Lagos High Court judgment, Local
Governments in Lagos State have begun the issuance of Form ‘E’
Marriage Certificates.

The Lagos High Court had recently ruled that the issuance of
modified unified marriage certificates by Local Governments and
Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs Marriage Registries was
illegal and not in line with Form ‘E’ as stipulated in section 24
of the Marriage Act.

At a news conference on Thursday at the Lagos State Government
Secretariat, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria,
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim
Folami, said the Lagos High Court verdict did not in any way
undermine the constitutional rights and responsibilities of the
local governments to conduct, regulate and register marriages.

“It only emphasized that the issuance of marriage certificates
by the LG Marriage Registries should conform with the Marriage Act
and the need for re-issuance of marriage certificates to affected
persons and that the marriages already conducted are still valid
and good.

“Moreover, Item 1 (i), Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution
as amended states that the Local Government is responsible for
registration of births, death and marriages,” he said.

According to Folami, after consultation with the Ministry of
Justice, the state government had complied with the said judgment
by printing the Form ‘E’ stated in the Marriage Act which has
already been circulated to the 57 LGs/LCDAs Marriage Registries
across the state.

“Hence, marriages conducted in all LGs and LCDAs Marriage
Registries are authentic and accepted worldwide.”

Folami said anyone issued with the old modified unified marriage
certificate and wished to get the Form ‘E’ marriage certificate
should come forward for such.