A former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has had her 29-year-old marriage dissolved by a court in Delta.
Grace Ekpiwhre, a former Minister of Science and Technology was officially divorced from her husband, Peter Ekpiwhre whom she married in 1985.
The union was dissolved by a customary court sitting in Agbarho in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
President of the court, Mrs. Stella Okah, said she had to rule for dissolution of the marriage because she was convinced there has been strained love between the couple for a long time and as a result the former minister, who sought the resolution in court was no longer interested in the marriage blessed with one girl.
Mrs. Okah, supported by Chief Adadi Omosowho and Mr. Richard Onosigho, other members of the Agbarho Customary Court ordered the family of Mrs. Ekpiwhre to refund to the court’s registry, the sum of N120 paid as dowry by Mr. Ekpiwhre when the marriage was contracted in 1985.
Eldest man of the Akpoguma Family of Agbarho, where the plaintiff hails from in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Samuel Salubi, refunded the dowry almost immediately.
Mrs. Ekpiwhre, retired as Delta State’s Head of Service before becoming Minister of Science and Technology in 2007 under late President Yar’Adua.
She was later appointed Minister of State, Works and Housing after a cabinet reshuffle, and also served as Supervising Minister, Women Affairs and Social Development.