25th April, 2012
The District Head of Mbalaagh Community in Buruku LGA of Benue State , Chief Toryila Nyitse has been sentenced to three months imprisonment by an area upper court presided over by Mrs. Kpadoo Chia for snatching and marrying another person’s wife.
The randy traditional ruler was given an option of N20, 000 fine, failure of which he will go to prison for twelve months.
Delivering judgment in the case filed by Tortiv Torkula against Chief Nyitse, the trial judge held that there were significant facts against the accused to prove he forcefully took another man’s wife with four children.
The presiding judge dismissed as untrue assertion by the traditional ruler that he was the first husband of the woman. The judge said the punishment would serve as deterrent to the convict who is supposed to be a custodian of the Tiv culture.
She said that the law must continue to catch up with those who consciously disrupt family life, adding that if people are allowed to marry in that manner, there will be no law in the society.
—Ubong Udoh/Makurdi