I have not heard nor seen my husband since 2006, woman tells court

A 42-year-old teacher, Mrs Imabong Akwaoku, has asked the Alimosho customary court in Lagos State to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage, due to alleged abandonment.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the mother of three told the court that her husband, Patrick, ran away from their home since 2006 and up till now, has refused to come back.

“My husband disappeared from the house 10 years ago to an unknown destination, he refused to either call nor come home to see me and his children,” she said.

She told the court that her husband ran away from home because of an alleged fraud in his office.

“When his company was to arrest him, he ran away from the house and abandoned us.

“When his company could not found him, I was arrested and detained so that my husband can come out of hiding.

“Despite this, my husband did not surface, it was my family that came to bail me,” she said.

The petitioner said that she and her children used to call her husband initially, but that he was always hostile and aggressive on the phone.

“Patrick was always shouting at us whenever we called; later, his phone numbers were no longer reachable. It’s been 10 years now; I don’t even know anything about him.

“When I contacted his uncle on phone, he told me that my husband was in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,” she said.

Imabong said that she had been the one taking care of the children as Patrick’s family members did not show any concern.

“I have been the one responsible for the children’s school fees, feeding and rent.

“My husband’s family does not know if we exist, they cannot even recognise the children if they see them,” she said.

Imabong urged the court to dissolve the marriage, saying she was tired and no longer in love with her husband.

President of the court, Alhaja S.O Mumuni, after listening to the petitioner, adjourned the case till September 26 for further hearing.