I insist on divorce, husband reiterates in court

Ile Tuntun Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 11-year-old union between Sakiru Bello and Bosede Bello.

Sakiru had dragged his wife to court suing for divorce on the account that she was disobedient and non challant  about the children’s welfare.

“My wife has ceased to see me as the head of the home and has refused to obey every instruction I give her.

“She returns home late from work and cares less about the children’s welfare.

“She is not bothered if the children ate or not. I have now made it my duty to prepare our children’s meal, especially supper so that they don’t go to bed with empty stomachs.

“I have reported her to her relatives but she has refused to change.

“I remain the head of my home and since she has refused to see me as someone to be  reckoned with, she should leave my home. I am no more interested in our marriage, he said in court.

“I am also no more interested in living with an irresponsible man, “the defendant stated.

“He shows that he is the head of the home by complaining and fighting me everyday.

“We have three children, he pays the school fees of just one of them while I pay that of the other two.

“He once beat me after I had just put to bed our second child and removed one of my teeth.

“At another time he gathered my clothes and burnt them  when we fought.

“He leaves N300 as food allowance and this is not even regular.

“I always run around, gathering  money to pay the rent so that we are not thrown out, “she added.

“Our family members have tried all they could to resolve our differences but all their efforts were abortive because he has no regard for his people and mine.

“Shortly before I was served the court summon, he stole my N7,000 but denied taking it.

“He later gave our daughter N1,000 out of it to buy recharge card and another amount to buy food from the food vendor in the neighbourhood.

“When he was delaying in making a refund of the money, I forced open his drawer and seized his okada documents.

“He also seized my clothes and new wristwatch, left home and started sleeping in his shop.

“The landlord is threatening to send us packing since we are owing him more than a year rent while the child whose school fees he pays has been sent out of school because his fee is yet to be paid.

“I’ve  had enough of his irresponsible acts, I also agree to a divorce, she concluded.

The court president, Chief Agbaje Olasunkanmi, after listening to both parties stated that their parents or relatives evidence would be relevant  in the matter, he thus adjourned the case till March 22.

Both parties showed up in court on the adjourned date. The defendant came with a relative, Kayode Dada, while the plaintiff came alone.

The court president asked if they had been able settle the rift between them amicably and the plaintiff replied he was still bent on having his marriage to the defendant dissolved.

“My lord, I still pray that our marriage be dissolved, “he said.

“He told the landlord he was no more staying in our apartment and that he should send us packing. The landlord has thrown my children and I out and we are presently squatting with a friend which is not convenient.

“Our son has also been stopped from coming to school, “the defendant  stated,

Olasunkanmi asked what role the defendant’s relative had played in resolving their matter and he stated that he had always called both parties together, counseling and advising them, but they have failed to change.

“When I learnt they have come to court, I called Sikiru and appealed to him to let us settle the matter out of court, but he refused. One other relative of ours spoke to him, but he also turned deaf ear to him, Kayode said.

Olasunkanmi, having listened to all, noted that the love between the couple has waned.

He thus ordered that their marriage be dissolved for peace to reign.

He directed the plaintiff to pay N9,000 monthly as the children’s food allowance and  care for their education.

Olasunkanmi further instructed that the plaintiff give the defendant N15,000 to get a new apartment and  pack her belongings from her friend’s place.

All payments were ordered to be made through the court.