Section 2 Matrimonial Causes Act 1970

Section 2 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1970 is about Jurisdiction in matrimonial causes. It provides as follows:

(1) Subject to this Act, a person may institute a matrimonial cause under this Act in the High Court of any State of the Federation; and for that purpose the High Court of each State of the Federation shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine-
(a) matrimonial causes instituted under this Act; and

(b)
matrimonial causes (not being matrimonial causes to which section 101 of this Act applies) continued in accordance with the provisions of part IX of this Act, so however that jurisdiction under this Act in respect of matrimonial causes within this paragraph shall be restricted to the court in which the matrimonial cause was instituted, and in any case where maintenance is ordered in proceedings in a High Court, a court of summary jurisdiction in any State shall have jurisdiction to enforce payment in a summary manner.

(2) Proceedings for a decree-
(a) of dissolution of marriage; or
(b) of nullity of a voidable marriage; or
(c) of nullity of a void marriage; or

(d) of judicial separation; or
(e) of restitution of conjugal rights; or
(f) of jactitation of marriage, may be instituted under this Act only by a person domiciled in Nigeria.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a person domiciled in any State of the Federation is domiciled in Nigeria for the purposes of this Act and may institute proceedings under this Act in the High Court of any State whether or not he is domiciled in that particular State.

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