Former presidential aide and author, Reno Omokri, has stirred public debate with a controversial statement, asserting that the traditional bride price should only be paid for virgins.
He argues that paying a bride price for a non-virgin is a form of extortion, claiming the practice is rooted in biblical and traditional African norms.
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Omokri made his case by drawing a sharp distinction between a dowry and a bride price.
He explained that a dowry is a gift of property given by parents to their daughter, which becomes joint property with her husband.
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In contrast, he stated that a bride price is a payment from the groom to the family of the bride, reserved specifically for a woman who is a virgin.
Citing the Bible, Omokri referenced Exodus 22:16-17 to support his position, noting that the scripture and traditional African society both endorse this practice.
According to him, the term “bride” is scripturally reserved for virgins, and paying a bride price for a non-virgin is considered unscriptural.
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“What I am going to say will shock people. Scripturally, Bride Price is ONLY paid for virgins,” Omokri wrote.
“By virtue of Scripture (and also in traditional African society), you pay no Bride Price for non virgins.”
He concluded his remarks by stating that if African societies do not return to these traditional and scriptural norms, they will continue to face moral decline.
