Monarch says ex-wife is now free to marry another man

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September 13, 2017 12:48 PM

Despite fears that any man who marries a traditional ruler's ex-wife in Yorubaland will die, former Olori of Ife is now free to marry another husband.

Despite fears that any man who marries or sleeps with a woman divorced by the Ooni of Ife, the former

This much was made known by the Ife Traditional Council after the bride price paid on her head by the Ooni, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi II, was accepted when her family refunded the money to the monarch.

According to Total Media, the speculations that the ex-Olori who has reverted to her maiden name, Zaynab Otiti Obanor, would remain unmarried due to the fact that she was once married to the First Class Oba, has been put to rest and she can go ahead and live her life.

ALSO READ: "Royal Rumble: Ooni of Ife's marriage to Olori Wuraola allegedly collapses"

Following the crash of the 17 months old marriage some weeks ago, Oba Ogwunusi and his Council decided to accept the bride price refund from his wife's family in Benin, the Edo State capital.

A few days ago, a man claiming to be an Ifa priest in Ife had come out with the verdict that any man who sleeps with the former Olori would die prematurely, but with the acceptance of the bride price by the Ooni, Olori Wuraola is now free to marry or sleep with any man she likes.

“Before a woman who was once married to an Oba is free to sleep with another man, she will be asked to consult Ifa and Ifa will give directions on how she will make the necessary atonement for her cleansing.

In Yoruba tradition, a woman who has been married to a king cannot lay with any other man even if the marriage breaks up. But when the right atonements have been made, there won’t be a problem.

For the woman, she might not really have a problem but for any man who sleeps with a queen or marries an ex-queen without the appropriate cleansing, the man may die prematurely; he may be struck with sickness or there might be retrogression in his life,” the Ifa priest had said.

According to a palace source, the Ooni was initially reluctant to collect the bride price but was persuaded by the Elders as a way of closing the controversial marriage and separation.

“When a bride price is returned, the man no longer have ties or right over the woman in question, and they can only see themselves afterward as friends if they so desire,” the source said.

After collecting the bride price, Oba Ogwunisi was quoted as saying:

“She’s free now, she’s free…”

ALSO READ:"Ooni of Ife: Olori Wuraola confirms split from monarch "

The Elders had sued for an amicable settlement instead of a rough separation with both families appearing relieved about this final foreclosure of the marriage that lasted less than two years.

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