A Customary Court in Rumuogba, Rivers State, has issued an order barring Mrs. Kate Ngbor from continuing to use her ex-husband’s name after being divorced for 11 years.
In the case, Chief Sam Ngbor, the claimant, filed Suit No: OCC/9/2021, requesting the court to prevent his former wife from bearing his name any longer. Following arguments from both parties’ counsel—E.O. Erhirhi, representing the claimant, and R.U. Egwenre, representing the defendant—the court granted the order.
The court ruled that Mrs. Kate Ngbor no longer has the right to use the surname “Ngbor” or “Sam-Ngbor,” unless expressly permitted by the claimant. The court further ordered that she must revert to her maiden name or choose another name of her preference, and cease using “Ngbor” or “Sam-Ngbor.”
Additionally, the court prohibited Mrs. Ngbor from referring to herself as “Mrs. Kate Ngbor” or “Mrs. Kate Sam-Ngbor” or using these names in any capacity. This judgment, dated June 9, 2014, marks the end of the legal recognition of the name “Ngbor” for Mrs. Ngbor.
