After fending for him, he eats, beats and leaves me with swollen mouth —Woman

A trader, Morufat Lawal, has sued for the dissolution of her 13-year-old union with her husband, Muritala Lawal, a carpenter, at a Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Morufat alleged that her husband derived pleasure in beating her not minding her state of health.

She thus appealed to the court to separate them and grant her custody of their only child.

“When I met my husband, he presented himself a gentleman. He was soft spoken, patient, caring and gave me his attention. He was also liberal.

“We started dating and he showered me with affection. I was the envy of my friends.

“He impregnated me while we were dating which spurred my decision to move in with him after our families had met.

“The scales fell from my eyes when we started living together as husband and wife.

“It was then I realised he was a wolf in sheep skin, “she told the court.

“My husband stopped pampering me and suddenly became intolerant.

“He complained about everything and anything I did.

“He was harsh and would beat me with anything within his reach.

“He would  sometimes beat me that I would find it difficult to eat for days as a result of a swollen mouth.

“He also stopped leaving feeding allowance and didn’t feel concerned if our only child ate or not.

“I fend for myself and our child, but when I cook and serve him, he would sit down comfortably, eat and belch in an irritating manner.

“He also wasn’t bothered about our child’s education. I have been solely responsible for it.

“I reported him to his parents, they spoke to him, but he failed to change.

“I moved out of his house eight years ago with our child as a result of being frustrated.

“He came for the child and took him to his brother’s house where he was maltreated. I went to take my son from there because I couldn’t bear to see him suffer. He came to take the child from me some few weeks ago after he received a court summon, “the  plaintiff stated.

“My lord, all she said are lies, “the defendant responded.

“There was never a time I raised my hand to beat her all the time we were together. I also not only provided food allowance, but provided that which was sufficient enough to prepare sumptuous meals, Muritala told the court.

“All she’s working at is to gain the court’s favour. She denied me access to our child, I only started visiting him when she took him to her mother’s place. It was then I started paying his school fees. I have the receipts with me.

“The crux of the matter is that she was taking our child to church which was displeasing to me. I warned her against it, but she failed to listen to me. She still takes him to church.

“I don’t agree to her plea of divorce; she moved out of my house of her own accord, but if she’s insisting on leaving me, then let it be.”

Giving his judgment after listening to both parties, the court president, Chief Ademola Odunade, ruled that the union be dissolved and awarded custody of the child to the plaintiff.

The defendant was asked to pay N5,000 monthly through the court as the child’s feeding allowance and be responsible for his education and health care.