Edo High Court Dissolves Marriage Between Michael Okechukwu Mbiere and Best Mbiere

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has dissolved the marriage between Mr. Michael Okechukwu Mbiere and Mrs. Best Mbiere following allegations of adultery, neglect, emotional abuse, loss of trust, and prolonged marital misconduct.

Delivering judgment on Monday, May 11, 2026, Honourable Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa of High Court 1, Benin City, granted the prayers sought by the petitioner, Mrs. Best Mbiere, and consequently nullified the marriage.

Mrs. Mbiere had approached the court seeking dissolution of the union on grounds that the marriage had irretrievably broken down due to persistent adultery, abandonment of marital responsibilities, emotional trauma, and alleged bigamy committed by the respondent.

The petitioner also prayed the court to grant her custody of their three children and compel the respondent to refund the sum of ₦21,500,000, which she stated she paid to InterContinental Distillery Company on behalf of the respondent to offset liabilities arising from an alleged ₦44 million fraud involving the company.

In his judgment, Justice Okungbowa granted custody of the three children to Mrs. Best Mbiere and ordered Mr. Michael Okechukwu Mbiere to take responsibility for the welfare of the children, including monthly upkeep, medical expenses, and educational needs.

The court further directed the respondent to refund the sum of ₦21,500,000 to the petitioner, being money she paid to InterContinental Distillery Company on behalf of the respondent to offset liabilities arising from the alleged fraud.

The court held that the marriage had broken down irretrievably as a result of deep-rooted marital disputes and complete loss of mutual trust between both parties.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment, counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Pascal Ugbome, commended the judiciary and the Chief Judge for what he described as a sound and explicit judgment.

According to him, while society does not celebrate broken homes, individuals should not be compelled to remain in toxic and emotionally damaging marriages.

“Though nobody prays for or encourages a broken marriage, one cannot also continue to remain in a toxic and broken relationship,” he said.

Reacting to questions on whether the respondent may challenge the judgment on appeal, Barrister Ugbome maintained that the decision of the court was clear and comprehensive.

“The judgment is explicit even to a layman. There is practically nothing to appeal against. However, appeal remains their constitutional right, and if they decide to proceed, we are fully prepared,” he added.

Responding to newsmen after the court session, Mrs. Best Mbiere, who identified herself as “Best Oretor, formerly Best Mbiere,” described the judgment as emotional but liberating.

She stated that she never imagined her marriage would end in such circumstances despite efforts made over the years to preserve the union and keep the family together.

“It is a painful feeling because I never thought my marriage would end this way. I tried to hold the home together and build the family, but unfortunately things ended differently,” she said.

She further described the judgment as an opportunity to clear her name and restore her image after what she claimed were years of public attacks and character damage.

“This judgment is the perfect opportunity to clear my name and image which they tried to tarnish over the past three years,” she stated.

Ms. Orator alleged that she lived under what she described as a bigamous arrangement for over two years and endured adultery for more than four years while still living under the same roof with the respondent.

According to her, the respondent allegedly contracted another marriage with another woman from their tribe while they were still legally married, a development she claimed was supported by members of his family.

“For over nine years under the same roof, he married another woman and everybody wanted me to remain there. For two years, he never ate my food and never slept on the same bed with me,” she alleged.

She further alleged that the respondent’s family accompanied him to the eastern part of the country where he allegedly married another wife with whom he now has two children.

Ms. Orator said her refusal to continue in the arrangement eventually led her to seek legal redress before the court.

She also alleged that in 2018, the respondent defrauded InterContinental Distillery Company to the tune of ₦44 million and failed to account for the funds or explain how the money was spent.

According to her, she personally paid ₦21.5 million to the company on behalf of the respondent as part of efforts to settle liabilities arising from the alleged fraud.

She further told journalists that after she opened a boutique business, the respondent allegedly diverted clothing items and other materials from the store for use by other women.

Expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Ms. Orator thanked the judiciary for granting her custody of the children, describing it as the most important aspect of the judgment.

“Today I am happy with the court’s decision. I thank the court for granting me custody of my children after being separated from them for three years. That is my greatest gain and reward. Other things are material, but my children are my joy,” she said.

She also expressed appreciation to the Chief Judge of Edo State, her legal team, and all those who supported her throughout the legal process.