Court finally takes final decision on claim that Tiv men offer their wives to male visitors

Chief Judge of Benue, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has denounced the claim that Tiv men offer their spouses to male guests for sexual pleasure under Tiv native law and custom as malicious, IDOMA VOICE reports. 

Mr. Ikpambese made this declaration on Tuesday in Makurdi while delivering judgment in a case filed by Incorporated Trustees of Mzough U Tiv against the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC).

The Incorporated Trustees of Mzough U Tiv had filed the suit seeking declarative judgment against the false claim made by Venita Akpofure on the Big Brother Naija show.

In a writ of summons, counsel to the plaintiff, Douglas Pepe, stated that Ms. Akpofure, on the BBNaija show broadcasted by MultiChoice, asserted that Tiv men offer their wives to their male visitors for sexual pleasures.

Mr. Pepe expressed shock that instead of pursuing legal action against Akpofure for making such a defamatory statement, TATC, the overarching cultural body responsible for safeguarding the collective interests of the Tiv people, merely verbally condemned the assertion.

He argued that Akpofure’s statement lacked supporting particulars to back up her falsehood.

“It would have been more appropriate if Venita Akpofure, an Urhobo from Delta State, had stated that in her marriage to a Tiv person, she was given out to another man for sexual pleasures,” Mr. Pepe contended.

The plaintiff sought the court to declare that under the Tiv native law and custom, a Tiv man does not offer his wife to his visitor for sexual pleasure.

Furthermore, the plaintiff sought an order of mandamus to compel TATC to promptly convene a meeting of the supreme council to initiate and subsequently issue a formal resolution codifying the principle that a Tiv man does not offer his wife to his visitor for sexual pleasure.

The plaintiff presented three witnesses to prove its case.

Surprisingly, counsel to the defendant, E.K. Ashiekaa, aligned himself with the argument of the plaintiff’s counsel.

The defendant called one witness and closed its case.

In his judgment, Mr. Ikpambese granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

The judge ruled that Ms. Akpofure’s assertion about Tiv men was malicious falsehood, lacked substance, and should, therefore, be dismissed.