A Customary Court in Rumuogba, Rivers State, has ruled that Mrs. Kate Ngbor must stop using her former husband’s surname, Ngbor, with immediate effect, despite bearing it for over 11 years since their divorce.
The ruling was delivered on Friday in Suit No: OCC/9/2021, filed by Chief Sam Ngbor, who sought a court order preventing his ex-wife from continuing to use his name.
After hearing arguments from both parties’ lawyers, E. O. Erhirhi for the claimant and R.U. Egwenre for the defendant, the court granted the order.
The court ruled that Mrs. Kate Ngbor has no right to bear the name “Ngbor” or “Sam-Ngbor” unless expressly permitted by her ex-husband.
She was instructed to revert to her maiden name or any other name of her choice, excluding those linked to her former husband.
The ruling explicitly restrains her from using or identifying herself with the surname in any manner.
Neither Chief Sam Ngbor nor Mrs. Kate Ngbor was present when the judgment was delivered, but both were represented by their legal counsel.