HARARE - A Nigerian who allegedly married two Zimbabwean women under Chapter 5:11 of the Marriage Act appeared in court yesterday.

The Chapter 5:11 marriage is conducted at the Magistrates’ Court or in church by a registered marriage officer and it allows a man to have only one wife at any given time.

Michael Chinweba Okoye, 38, allegedly married Heather Magwaro in 2002 and Smailar Nyamhunga in 2004 under the same chapter.

Okoye appeared before magistrate Don Ndirowei on bigamy charges.

The court heard that Okoye went to the immigration offices intending to renew his passport which was about to expire.

The Immigration department allegedly checked with the Magistrates’ Court and found that Okoye was married to two Zimbabwean women.

The marriages, according to state papers, were conducted by a magistrate identified as Matsanura.

It is alleged that the Immigration Department had been carrying out investigations prior to granting Okoye a resident permit. - Ivan Zhakata