Two housemates in this year’s Big Brother Naija; Tega and Boma, have come under a lot of scrutiny as social media has been agog with their actions while they were in the Big Brother House, actions more than a few people are sure included sexual relations.
Tega Offiong Dominic and Boma Akpore popularly known as Tega and Boma were evicted on Sunday, the 5th of September 2021 from the Big Brother House.
The fuss surrounding their actions is directly connected to the fact that Tega is currently, legally married to one Mr. Ajeboh Dominic and they both have a son together.
Earlier on, Tega’s husband had come out to defend his wife’s actions in the house with different reasons ranging from her just creating content and then on to his own infidelity during the course of their marriage. However when the pressure mounted he later came out to talk about he was mentally exhausted and drained from the whole episode.
LEGALLY SPEAKING
Probably weird, but under the Penal Code, Tega would have risk facing jail time for adultery.
Adultery is actually a criminal offence under the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. Section 387 and 388 of the penal code stipulates two years imprisonment, and/or with a fine for adultery as the punishment for adultery.
While adultery is not prosecuted under the Criminal Code of the South however, the law provides for redress if a spouse can prove that adultery occurred.
For instance, Section 15(2)(b) of the Matrimonial Causes Act states that: “The court hearing a petition for a decree of dissolution of a marriage shall hold the marriage to have broken down irretrievably if the respondent has committed adultery and the petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent.
Adultery will only be a ground for divorce if the spouse finds it intolerable. In a situation where the spouse condones the act, the court will not terminate the marriage.
Section 31 of the Matrimonial Causes Act further provides that a party to a marriage can claim damages for adultery if the act is not condoned and was perpetrated not up to three years before such a claim is made.
Damages for adultery are compensatory and in awarding such damages, the court customarily considers the following:
- The loss suffered by the petitioner.
- Injury to petitioner’s honour and feelings.
- Hurt to family life.
- Value of the adulterous spouse to the claimant.
Just now, the internet has been greeted with videos of Tega and her husband making up. It would seem like both parties are trying to put the past behind them, move forward with their lives and marriage – uncommon yet strong move.