In this report, Jennifer UGWA went undercover as an intending bride in need of a statutory marriage license to expose sharp and corrupt practices of marriage registrars and officials appointed by the Federal Ministry of Interior within the FCT.

The inconspicuous sign stringed to the low- fenced wall on the dusty road only read: Marriage Registry, Kuje Area Council, Town Hall.

A flat white iron board– was the only indication of the presence of a registry as an arrow was pointing in the opposite direction away from the Women Development Centre.

On this hot Wednesday afternoon, Abah Benjamin, office assistant to the registrar sat bent over notes scattered on an old wooden desk in the reception.
As the sound of approaching footsteps got closer, Benjamin stopped writing and attended to the visitor.

Tits for Tats

Among the scattered sheets of paper on Benjamin’s clustered table is a pamphlet advertising a ‘Now and Forever’ union in Kuje registry.

“Good afternoon. How may I help you?” Benjamin greeted.

Upon this reporter’s revelation that she was there to legalise her marriage, the assistant proceeded to give her a download of how much her quest will cost.

Benjamin explained that for N20,500( Twenty thousand five hundred nairas) ($53.2645) which can be paid in installments, the marriage can be certified within 21 workdays.

However, despite the favourable fees which were below the official sum of N21,000, as of March, the officials had found a loophole to squeeze out more cash from couples.

Since Saturdays are often a free day from work and business engagements for most people, ceremonial activities are also slated for the weekends.

Nevertheless, if a solemnisation is to take place in this registry on such days, “You have to pay an additional fee of N10,000,” Benjamin disclosed.

“We are civil servants, officially we don’t work on weekends. So you have to pay. But feel free to choose any other day,” he said.

The foreknowledge that intending couples prefer a weekend wedding is the axe registrars wield to their advantage.

READ MORE: https://www.icirnigeria.org/insidious-world-of-abuja-marriage-registries-where-officials-conduct-ghost-weddings-for-a-fee/