Former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Wuraola can now remarry if she wishes as the customary bride price paid by the Ooni has been returned fully to him by the elders of her family in Benin City, Nigeria. According to Boss Newspapers, a source in Benin said the Ooni was initially reluctant to collect the bride price, but was persuaded by the Elders as a way of closing the controversial marriage and separation. “She’s free now, she’s free…,” the Ooni was quoted to have exclaimed afterwards.
The Elders had sued for amicable settlement instead of a rough separation. Both families appeared relieved about this final foreclosure of the marriage that lasted less than two years. It will be recalled that earlier in August, news went viral about the break of the marriage between the revered kingdoms of Ife and Benin, where the paramount ruler of Ife Kingdom, and first among the list of Yoruba Obas, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi took Queen Zynab to wife.
The marriage which was contracted in March 2016 in elaborate ceremonies held in Benin and Ife hit the rocks over alleged infidelity. According to a Yoruba source, it was imperative that the bride price be returned even as it is just a token, adding that it holds significant value and meaningful according to tradition.
“When a bride price is returned, the man no longer has ties or right over the woman in question, and they can only see themselves afterwards as friends if they so desire,” the Yoruba source said.
NAN
