A Nigerian lawyer, Mohammed Adam, has said he is working on a bill to amend the Marriage Act, Matrimonial Causes Act and Marriage (Validation) Act.
According to the lawyer popularly known as Egi Nupe, the laws are not archaic and do not take into account the realities of marriages, divorces and custody of children in Nigeria.
Mohammed, in a post on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, said the proposed Bill will be making a strong case for polygamy to be recognized under these Acts.
He also said the bill would criminalize adultery and paternity fraud with at least a 3-5-year term of imprisonment.
“Make DNA tests compulsory at birth and prescribe an affordable fee,” he wrote.
“People who cohabit for at least 2 years should be deemed married and if it leads to a child they are deemed married,” he added.