Legal Industry News
Welcome to The KCJ News Service
House of Lords to rule on Nigerian divorce
Practice area: Family Law
A woman unhappy with the terms of a
divorce settlement decided by a court in Nigeria has been given permission to contest it in the House of Lords.
Sikirat Agbaje was awarded just £7,000 when her 40-year marriage ended in 2005, while her husband Olusola walked away with more than £600,000.
Mrs Agbaje, who like her husband is a UK citizen, has since been using the British courts system in a bid to change the terms of the award, reports the Times.
She enjoyed some success in her bid for a greater share of the couple's assets when the High Court awarded her £275,000.
However, Mr Agbaje subsequently challenged the decision in the Court of Appeal, where a panel of judges ruled that although the original settlement seemed unfair, the Nigerian court's ruling should stand.
Having been given the go ahead to take her case still further, Mrs Agbaje will now be hoping that the House of Lords rules that the British courts are able to overturn foreign
divorce settlements.
Another high-profile
divorce which may be on its way to the House of Lords is that of Brian and Ingrid Myerson.
The original settlement last year required the South African businessman to pay his wife £11 million in cash and property, while he kept the balance of the £25.8 million estate.
Mr Myerson wants the terms of the settlement changed because most of his section of the estate was held in shares, which have since plummeted in value.
His challenge in the Court of Appeal failed, but he has made it clear he intends to pursue his case further.
← back to news
