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SPOTLIGHTS
- The community considers failing to pay a dowry a crime
- The ultimatum aims to preserve marriage customs and uphold the value of women
- The community also banned the smoking of Indian hemp and the sale of land within Ndieze
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The people of Ndieze Inyimegu Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have given men who married their daughters without paying dowries until Easter 2025 to fulfil this obligation.
The community leaders stated that the ultimatum aims to preserve marriage customs and bolster the value of women in society. They emphasised that failing to pay a dowry is considered a crime.
The decision was reached during a visit to the new traditional ruler, His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze Hyacinth Ogbonna Nwokpor, on Saturday.
According to a press release issued by Jonathan Nwokpor, Special Assistant to the traditional ruler, the village heads decreed that anyone who marries a woman in their community without paying dowry commits a crime and has until Easter 2025 to rectify the situation or face community action.
In addition to the dowry ultimatum, the community also resolved to prohibit the smoking of Indian hemp and the sale of land within Ndieze. They warned that anyone found in violation of these prohibitions would face severe consequences.
The statement emphasised that these resolutions demonstrate the village heads’ commitment to maintaining peace, order, and progress in Ndieze.
