My husband just disappeared without any trace —Wife

An Aba-na-Ohazu Customary Court in Aba, Abia State, has dissolved the 15-year-old marriage between Blessing and her husband, Christian Amechi, following the man’s desertion from home.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Blessing, the petitioner, told the court that her husband, Amechi, abandoned her and their only child, Ifeoma, since December 2009 to an unknown destination.

She also alleged that Amechi, having absconded from home 8 years ago, failed to provide for her and their only child.

She said that every effort she made to locate him failed, saying that the development had left to bear “his name without him caring for her and her daughter.”

Blessing, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her continued custody of the only child of the marriage.

Neither Amechi nor his representative appeared in court throughout proceedings in the matter.

President of the court, Mr Diamond Olewengwa, said that having heard the testimony of the petitioner, which he said was not controverted, there was evidence that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

“As the respondent has been found to have deserted the petitioner, it is clear that the marriage has broken down irretrievably as a result of love being extinct as a result of irreconcilable differences.

“The marriage is hereby dissolved.

”The petitioner should return the N30,000 to the respondent paid as her bride price through their traditional ruler, the Eze of Amavo Umuokorocha in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government,” he said.

The court also granted Blessing the continued custody of the only child of the marriage.