He’s a drunkard, runs his mouth whenever he gets drunk —Wife

A mother of four,  Mrs Toyin Adeniran, has  asked an Ile Tuntun Customary Court, Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve her 28-year-old marriage  to  her husband, Taiwo, on account that he is a drunkard.

Toyin explained that her husband married her after she left her first lover.

She said: “I work as a house help. My husband is a drunkard  and whenever he’s drunk,  he loses control of his mouth. He divulges our family secrets to neighbours and friends and also tanishes my image by calling  me an adulterer.

“On several occasions after agreeing  to embark on a project and he goes to the bank to withdraw money in its pursuit, if he decides to go for a drink, he will squander everything before returning home even if the money is as much as N500, 000.

“I feel embarrassed by my husband’s behaviour. I’m fed up. He called my place of work and told my employer to send me away. He also went to two of my children’s work places and told their bosses to sack them.

“I have reported him to his family members and we were summoned for a meeting. He told me at the meeting  that I knew he drinks before I  chose to marry him. His elder brother stated that  he was not under a spell but that he couldn’t just help getting drunk.

“It is rather unfortunate that one of our children, a 22-year-old has taken after him. Not too long ago, my son got drunk and got involved in an  accident. He broke his two legs. I knew how long I stayed with him at  the University College Hospital (UCH) before he was discharged.

“My husband also went to harass my mother who is physically-challenged. He did not stop there, he went about telling people about her condition. I can’t stand it.

“The only thing I cannot deny is that he takes up the responsibility of caring for the children,” Toyin told the court.

Responding to the allegations against him, the defendant, Taiwo, admitted his wife’s claim. He stated that he has  been taking care of the home since they got married because Toyin  was not  working.

“Since I married her, she’s been a full time housewife until January this year when she started working as a house help somewhere. All the children are in her custody.

“My wife is promiscuous. Recently, I read a love text message sent to her at about 2:00 a.m. I asked her who sent the message and she answered,“Daddy.” Not satisfied with her response, I probed further and she said ‘our church pastor.” Shortly after that incident, she packed out of the house to stay with her mother.  I’m not surprised she came to court saying all these. It’s because she already has where she is going. I married my wife in a palmwine shop, so I don’t expect her to get pissed off about my drinking habit.

“I reported her to her family but they did nothing  about it. I know they are contented with the step she’s taken. Our pastor has been introduced to her employer and he goes to pray for him. I want the court to separate us because I’m not ready to undergo any stress. In addition to this,  I request for the return of all the children.  I want to live the rest of my life in peace”,Taiwo said.

The case was adjourned for further hearing while the court president, Chief Olasunkanmi Henry Agbaje, requested that  both parties  bring members of their extended families and the children.