‘I live like a widow even though my husband is alive, woman tells court

A woman, Bosede Oloyede has approached a Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of her 15-year-old marriage to her husband, Kamoru Oloyede and custody of their three children whom she alleged he abandoned for over 11 years.

“My hope of a blissful marriage was dashed due to a wrong choice.  I have known no peace since I got married to my husband 15 years ago.  It’s better to be a widow than being married to an irresponsible man like him.

“We were still dating when he impregnated me. He informed his mother about my pregnancy and she asked me to move in with him in their family house where they were all living.

“I did, but he refused to give me any attention. My mother in-law also failed to take care of me.

“I tried to persuade him and his family members to pay my family members a visit but they refused. I later moved back to my mother’s house when I didn’t get the necessary care needed in my state.

“I was delivered of twins few months later and my husband and his family members were informed. My husband felt unconcerned; he didn’t deem it fit to check on me and the babies. My mother and family members arranged for the christening of our  babies which held in her house, “she told the court.

“He also didn’t send us money or make provision for the children’s upkeep.  I cleared a piece of land belonging to my mother and cultivated it. I grew and sold cassava and used the proceeds in looking after our children’s welfare.

“My mother in-law after some years came to my mother and pleaded with her to persuade me to move back to my husband’s place.  He was then already married to another woman.

“My children and I moved in with him and his new wife and hell was let loose.  He and his wife turned me into their punching bag. I became a regular face at the hospital as a result of their beatings. My children were  starved and left uncared for. He didn’t stop beating me even when I was pregnant with our third child.

“I lost my mother during this period and I  had to move back to her place since I couldn’t bear my husband’s maltreatment any more.

“I was introduced into some other businesses which are quite lucrative and through God’s help, I have been able to meet my children’s needs and build a house.

“My lord, it’s better to stay alone than being unnecessarily yoked to an irresponsible man. Please, separate us.”

The defendant refused to show up in court after being served court summons twice.

Giving his judgment, the court president, Chief Agbaje Olasunkanmi, ruled that their marriage be dissolved.

The plaintiff was awarded custody of their three children while the defendant was ordered to pay a monthly allowance of N10,000  for their children’s upkeep  and be responsible for their education and medical  needs.