•I’m taking good care of them —Husband
By Toluwani Olamitoke
Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned for judgment the divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Mariam against her husband, Muyideen, whom she accused of neglect, irresponsibility, lack of care and love, and battery.
Mariam stated that Mustapha daily shirked his responsibility towards her and their children.
She explained that her husband failed to display affection towards her and never gave her attention.
The plaintiff stated that the more she complained about the defendant’s lapses, the worse he became.
According to Mariam, Muyideen took to beating her and later sent her packing.
She stated further that her husband took away from her, their two female children who are still in their tender age and now lives alone with them.
Mariam pleaded for their children’s custody and further entreated the court to make her husband responsible for their upkeep, giving feeding, education and health care priority.
Muyideen denied all the allegations brought against him, but agreed to divorce.
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He admitted that he lives alone in a room with both children, and that the older of the two always prepared dinner.
Mariam giving her testimony stated that, “I moved in with my husband shortly after we met.
“He did not pay my bride price.
“My husband proved irresponsible from the outset of our marriage.
“He never cared about my welfare and that of our children.
“He showed me no love and affection and neglected our children.
“My husband shirked his responsibility towards us on daily basis.
“I, therefore took up his responsibility in the home so that our children would not suffer.
“He would not eat at home and would also refuse to give me and our children money for food. But he would spend excess eating outside.
“The more I complained, the worse he became.
“He later took to beating.
“He threw me out of his house, and I went away with our children who are both female.
“But he came to take them away from me with force.
“He now lives alone with them in a room.
“I plead that the court grants me custody of our children. They are female and in their tender age.
“I further entreat the court to make my husband responsible for their upkeep, giving adequate attention to feeding, education and health care.”
Muyideen in his evidence said, “I agree that our marriage be dissolved, but I refuse that my wife has custody of our children.
“I sent my wife packing because she was troublesome and always fought me.
“I have been taking good care of our children since they started living with me.
“We all live together in a room.
“I leave home for my shop as early as 7:00 am and return by 9:00 pm.
“Our children come to my shop after school hours and buy them lunch from the food vendor, while the older of the two prepare dinner every night.”
The president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo adjourned the case for further hearing.
and then