A young Nigerian man reportedly dragged his unnamed ex-girlfriend to court after she refused to marry him despite him funding her university education.
The unnamed man won the case.
The case, shared on Facebook by Obasi Nzubechi, has sparked widespread discussion online.
The initial agreement
According to the man, he met the lady shortly after she completed secondary school education.
He revealed that he informed her parents of his intention to marry her, but they reportedly insisted she attend university first.
Her parents allegedly told him he could only marry her if he agreed to sponsor her education, which was expected to last about four years. He accepted the arrangement.
Refusal to Marry After Graduation
After the lady graduated, the man approached her about marriage, but she reportedly said she was not ready for marriage.
He explained that she gave no clear reason for her decision and had been avoiding him.
The man revealed that when he raised the matter with her parents, they told him that their daughter is an adult and cannot be forced to marry.
The parent reportedly advised him to move on and assured him he could find a wife elsewhere.
The Lady’s Response
When questioned about her refusal, the lady reportedly said, “I no longer have feelings for him.” Regarding repayment for her education, she added, “I have no plans to refund him. He acted on his own free will. Besides, how does he intend to compensate me for the sèx we had? I did not force him to spend or send me to school, my parents only suggested that.”
The presiding judge delivered a decisive ruling in favour of the man, emphasizing that while marriage cannot be compelled, a serious promise relied upon to one party’s detriment may warrant legal remedy.
The judgment stated: “The Plaintiff undertook the financial responsibility of training the defendant through school upon a clear representation and expectation of marriage.
The defendant, upon graduation, declined the marriage without any justifiable or cogent reason.
Her refusal, in the circumstances of this case, amounts to a breach that occasioned financial and emotional loss to the Plaintiff.
The Defendant’s argument that the Plaintiff acted voluntarily does not absolve her of responsibility.
Judgment is hereby entered in favor of the Plaintiff. The Defendant is ordered to pay ₦15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) in damages to the Plaintiff for losses suffered.
