Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned till March 28, judgment on the divorce case between a couple, Kazeem and Sherifat.
Kazeem, who dragged his wife to court, stated that he paid N40,000 as her bride price, but that she had denied him rest of mind.
Kazeem alleged that his wife was troublesome and in the habit of fighting him.
He added that his wife extended her hostile behaviour towards their neighbours, which caused both parties to be at loggerheads, always.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant later packed her belongings and moved out of his house.
Sherifat denied all the allegations levied against her by her husband, but acceded to the divorce request.
According to the defendant, the plaintiff dragged her to court because she demanded a refund of the N50,000 she lent him a few years back and had refused to pay back.
Sherifat prayed for the custody of the only child in their marriage, while she also pleaded that her husband be made responsible for his welfare, making the child’s feeding, education, and medical care of utmost priority.
The plaintiff stated in his evidence that, “I met my wife in 2021 during a religious gathering.
“I approached her for a relationship, and she gave a nod to my request a few weeks after.
“Sherifat kept her true nature from me for the months we courted.
“If I had known that she was a stubborn and troublesome fellow, I would never have ventured into marrying her.
“Her family members demanded that I pay the large sum of N40,000 as her bride price, but I never got succour for this.
“Sherifat became rebellious immediately we got married and sought every opportunity to fight me.
“All the lofty plans I had of our marriage crashed under a few months that we started living together because our home was always on fire.
“My wife was always rubbing shoulders with me in the home. She derived pleasure in flouting my orders.
“I traded away my peace and rest after paying that whole sum of N40,000 on her.
“Sherifat extended her hostile nature to our neighbours. They never found a friend in her.
“I received complaints from them on constant basis of her unfriendly attitude towards them which always resulted in a fight.
“Sherifat became a thorn in the flesh, while she also gave me a bad name in our compound and neighbourhood.
“She eventually packed out of my house after she had dented my image enough.
“My lord, I pray this honourable court to please grant my prayer of divorce and order Sherifat never to threaten me or come to my house or workplace to fight me.”
Sherifat responded, “My lord, all that my husband said are lies.
“He came to court because I demanded that he paid me the N50,000 he owes me.
“I wanted to buy a piece of land when I was still living with him, but he begged that I lend him N50,000 out of the money meant for the purchase of the said land.
“He borrowed the money with the promise of refunding it at a stipulated date, but he reneged on his promise.
“Any time I demanded for the refund of the money, he would flare up and turn the issue into a fight.
“He did this till I packed out of his house.
“I decided to move out of my matrimonial home because I went through hell living with him.
“My husband completely failed as the head of the home and breadwinner.
“Our marriage is blessed with only a child which my husband found a herculean task taking care of because he is irresponsible.
“He never cared nor made provision for my need and that of our child.
“He was indifferent to our son’s education and hardly paid his fees.
“Kazeem would buy foodstuffs and keep them away from my reach. He would eat all by himself.
“I rented a one-room apartment after moving out of his house and I have been living there with our son.
“I pray for the custody of our son so that I can continue to give him the needed attention.
“I also plead that my husband be made responsible for our son’s welfare, giving feeding, education and health service upmost importance.”
The president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo, after she had heard both parties adjourned the case.
and then