You and the Law (SERIES 4): Bigamy in Nigeria — What the Law Really Says About Marrying Twice
You and the Law: Bigamy in Nigeria — What the Law Really Says About Marrying Twice
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
In a country like Nigeria where culture, religion, and law often intersect in complex ways, the issue of bigamy — marrying more than one spouse — continues to spark debate and confusion. Many people assume that once a man or woman can afford to sustain multiple relationships, it’s purely a private affair. But legally, the matter is not so simple.
⚖️ What Exactly Is Bigamy?
Bigamy occurs when a person marries another person while still legally married to someone else under the Marriage Act. In other words, if you contract a statutory (court or church) marriage and then marry another person while that marriage is still valid, you have committed bigamy — a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
This offence is captured under Section 370 of the Criminal Code Act, which states:
“Any person who, having a husband or wife living, marries in any case in which such marriage is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband or wife, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven (7) years.”
💍 Customary vs. Statutory Marriage — The Legal Distinction
This means that if a man marries a woman in church, court, or any recognized registry, that marriage becomes legally monogamous. Marrying another person after that, whether under customary or Islamic law, constitutes bigamy.
So, a man who weds his first wife “for better for worse” in a church, and later secretly marries another woman traditionally, has broken the law — even if culture says it’s acceptable.
🕵️♂️ What Happens If You Commit Bigamy?
Nonetheless, the offence can have serious legal consequences, including:
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Nullification of the second marriage
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Criminal prosecution if the matter is reported
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Public disgrace and professional sanctions (for public servants, clergy, or legal practitioners)
💔 Real-Life Implications
Many cases of bigamy arise from secret or informal marriages where the first spouse is unaware. Others occur when people attempt to dissolve a marriage without proper legal divorce before remarrying.
For instance, a man may claim “we’ve been separated for years” — but separation is not divorce. Until a court officially dissolves the first marriage, it remains valid in the eyes of the law.
🧠 Moral and Social Dimensions
Beyond law, bigamy carries moral weight. It often leaves behind broken families, emotional trauma, and societal distrust. In the age of social media, cases of double marriage scandals are increasingly surfacing — showing how easily tradition and ignorance can collide with the law.
📜 Final Word by Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
“Marriage, whether traditional or statutory, is a sacred and legal contract. The law is clear — you cannot eat from both sides of the plate and call it justice. If you desire multiple partners, go through the proper customary process. But if you vow ‘till death do us part,’ then honor that vow. Ignorance is no defence in law.”
Series: You and the Law (Series 4)
Publisher: Global Egberi Media International
📅 Published: October 30, 2025
Tags: Bigamy in Nigeria, Nigerian Law, Marriage Act, Customary Marriage, Polygamy, Legal Awareness, Family Law, You and the Law
💬 Facebook Caption:
Can you marry twice in Nigeria without breaking the law? Find out what the Marriage Act really says about bigamy — and how one wrong move can cost you seven years behind bars. ✍️ — Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi, You and the Law (Series 4)
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