Abstract
Maintenance is one of the ancillary
reliefs in matrimonial causes that emanated from common law principles and was
adopted in Nigeria by inspiration from United Kingdom laws. Maintenance always
comes during or after divorce or separation proceedings. This paper conducted
an enquiry into the two types of maintenance in Nigeria; Pendente Lite and per
se through the statutory provisions, Islamic law provisions and customary law
practice. We further undertook jurisdictional comparison with United State of
America and India. This paper therefore discovers the lacunas in the legal
framework for maintenance in Nigeria and we suggest workable solutions to make
Maintenance practice in Nigeria top ranking in Africa and the world at large.
reliefs in matrimonial causes that emanated from common law principles and was
adopted in Nigeria by inspiration from United Kingdom laws. Maintenance always
comes during or after divorce or separation proceedings. This paper conducted
an enquiry into the two types of maintenance in Nigeria; Pendente Lite and per
se through the statutory provisions, Islamic law provisions and customary law
practice. We further undertook jurisdictional comparison with United State of
America and India. This paper therefore discovers the lacunas in the legal
framework for maintenance in Nigeria and we suggest workable solutions to make
Maintenance practice in Nigeria top ranking in Africa and the world at large.