Polygamy in Benin
Encyclopedia
The nation of Benin
recognizes polygamous marriages neither by civil law
nor by customary law. Polygamy was permitted up until 2004 when it was formally abolished. After the intake of the current constitution, polygamous marriages were constitutionally banned in the country. However, polygamous marriages contracted prior to the ban are still legally recognized by the government.
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
recognizes polygamous marriages neither by civil law
Civil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
nor by customary law. Polygamy was permitted up until 2004 when it was formally abolished. After the intake of the current constitution, polygamous marriages were constitutionally banned in the country. However, polygamous marriages contracted prior to the ban are still legally recognized by the government.