The traditional marriage ceremony between the family of Prof Chukwuka Ogbonna Dennis and Late Chief Njoku Sunday was canceled as the bridge’s family insisted that the groom does not merit their daughter.
The marriage ceremony was scheduled for December 27, 2021, at Isu Girls Secondary School, Nkwoagu Isu, the administrative headquarters of Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
It was said that the school premises was spacious and were the preferred venue of the Professor’s family to accommodate his visitors and a crowd of well-wishers.
The groom’s family who came from Enugu State arrived at the scene of the occasion at 11 am and headed straight to the residence of the bride at Umubo community to fulfill their marital requirement.
It was gathered that the groom has earlier obtained a marriage list and has provided the bride’s family with their fundamental requirement in line with culture and traditions.
On arrival, the bride’s family presented five cartoons of Small Stout, 10 cartoons of Goldberg, five cartoons of Amstel Malt, One Bottle of Wine, and Squadron with N20, 000 as kola nut support, items the visitors considered too much for a kola nut.
After acceptance, the groom’s family wanted to proceed into paying the bride price when the bride’s family interrupted, saying that traditions demand they present their host with times two of items given to them as kola nut in return for their kind gesture.
The visitors who could afford the return of their gesture pleaded for mercy, asking that their host take back part of the items, which they were not comfortable with.
“We have come a long way. We are aware that nothing good comes easy. We don’t have much with us now. We appeal to you to reduce the quantity of the drinks or we monetize them,” said the groom’s spokesman.
The first argument started when the host rejected the monetary offer and insisted that their prospective inlaws must do the needful.
The visitors who could not get even a bottle of beer to buy at the community went back to carry the cartoon of drinks duly reserved for the occasion before bride price was paid.
It was reported that another argument erupted at the party scene when the bride’s elder brother and breadwinner of the family, Ogbonna Chukwuka Stephen asked the groom, Mr. Njoku Okorie Isaac to provide him with drinks to entertain his visitors.
Okorie Isaac who was angered over his ill-treatment by the family told his new inlaw that he’s not a Staff of Nigeria Breweries PLC and that he (Ogbonna Stephen) should take responsibility.
Provoked by his response, the bride’s family and some youths pulled down the canopies, saying Isaac is not fit to marry their daughter.
At press time, the bride’s family only agreed to refunded his N20, 000 bride price as prescribed by Umubo tradition.
