He’s irresponsible, comes home whenever it pleases him, woman tells court •She encouraged me to marry another wife —Husband

A businesswoman, Folake Ayinde, has urged an Agege customary court in Lagos State to dissolve her 13-year-old marriage to her husband, Timothy for alleged constant battery and irresponsible behaviour.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Folake, 38, who resides in Ibafo area of Ogun State, also cited threats to life and lack of care for her and their three children.

She told the court that her estranged husband lives with his parents in Sogunle in Lagos and comes to their matrimonial home whenever it pleases him.

The petitioner claimed that Timothy kept harassing her by sending his colleagues to assault and beat her for ‘no just cause’.

“My husband does not take care of me and our children.

“I am the one responsible for the upkeep and paying school fees of our children,” she said.

Folake urged the court to dissolve the marriage as she was no longer interested in the marriage.

In his response, Timothy denied the allegations and said that “I still love my wife.”

Timothy said that his wife encouraged him to have another wife outside of their marriage.

“She stopped me from having sexual intercourse with her.

“My wife comes home late from her business where she sells wine and beer and always abandon our last child with our 13-year-old daughter.

“I reported Folake to her parents, but instead of reprimanding her, they supported her, they gave her nature of business as excuse.

“Her parents told me that her business sells mostly at night, therefore, she cannot come home early,” Timothy said.

He alleged that whenever he gives his wife money for feeding and upkeep, the petitioner usually diverts it to her personal business.

The respondent added that, “she moved out of the house with the children without my knowledge.

“I tried reaching out to her, but she kept insulting me on the phone.

“From the day l told her that I earn N30, 000 salary monthly, she took advantage of that and started embarrassing me publicly,” he said

President of the court, Mr Phillips Williams, adjourned the case till September 1 for mediation.