Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Dupe (surname withheld) and her husband, Bayo (surname withheld), on the grounds of lack of care, neglect, infidelity and physical assault by the latter.
Dupe in her divorce suit pleaded with the court if her prayer of divorce was heard, to grant her custody of their children, but make her husband responsible for their upkeep.
She also requested the court to rule that he hands over to her the documents relating to the house she single-handedly built which was in his custody.
Dupe further appealed to the court to restrain the defendant from harassing or interfering with her private life.
Bayo, though served with court summonses did not come to court.
Dupe in her testimony said, “My husband took to beating me, immediately we got married.
“He picks up a fight over trivial issues and beats me blue black.
“My husband has consistently failed as the head of the home. He does not give me and our children feeding allowance and will descend on me with punches when I dare ask from him.
“I fed my family from the proceeds of my business till it crashed.
“My husband bragged that he would deal with me and made real his threat.
“He forcefully collected the documents of the house which I single-handedly built from me and went further to arrest me with the police.
“I was detained for days and humiliated by the policemen on duty.
“It took the intervention of relatives before I was released.
“My husband has dealt ruthlessly with me in our marriage and I believe it is time to move on.
“I pray that our marriage be dissolved and the custody of our children be granted me.
“I also plead that the court made my husband responsible for their welfare, giving feeding, education and health care a priority.
“I further also entreat the court to please retrieve the documents pertaining to my house from him and restrain him from interfering with my private life.
Giving judgment, the president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo, stated that the defendant’s failure in coming to court after being served court summonses shows he was not interested in saving his marriage.
According to her, their relationship no doubt had broken down irretrievably.
Ruling, Akintayo dissolved their union and granted the plaintiff custody of their children.
The defendant was ordered to pay the sum of N20, 000 per month through the court as their feeding allowance.
Both were mandated to be responsible for their education.
The defendant was restrained from interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.
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