Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned until August 8, further hearing on the divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Zainab, against her husband, Farooq, whom she accused of accused of irresponsibility and neglect.
Zainab, a businesswoman, stated that she made N50,000 gain monthly from her business, but that she expended all on the home because her husband refused to be responsible.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant passed his role as breadwinner to her and that she bore 80 percent of the responsibility in their home.
Zainab explained that she paid the largest share of their children’s school fees and house rent.
The plaintiff stated that the demands of their home gradually took its toll on her business, which almost crumbled.
She added that she walked out of their marriage when she was almost feeding from hand to mouth.
Zainab stated that the last time Farooq set his eyes on their children was 10 years ago.
According to her, he cared less about their welfare and was indifferent to their education.
The plaintiff therefore beseeched the court to end their relationship and grant her custody of their children.
She further pleaded that the court mandate her husband to be responsible for their feeding, education, and health care.
Farooq refused to come to court despite being served court summonses.
Zainab, in her evidence, said, ‘My husband and I lived together for only 10 years before I walked out of our marriage.
“My husband refused to live up to his responsibility in the home.
“He passed the bulk of his responsibility in the home to me.
“I made a monthly gain of N50,000 from my business, but I spent all on our home because my husband neglected me and our children and refused to be responsible.
“I bore the largest share of the expenses of running our home.
“I paid 80 percent of our children’s school fees and house rent.
“The demands of our home gradually ate up into my business, and it crumbled.
“I packed my belongings and moved out of my matrimonial home with our children when we started feeding from hand to mouth.
“My husband has never asked after our children since I left him. The last time he set eyes on them was 10 years ago.
“He cares less about their survival, and he is obviously not interested in their education.
“He does not know which school they attend and the classes they belong to.
“I have continuously bore the expenses of their upkeep.
“My lord, I came to court to have our union officially dissolved.
“But I pray this honourable court to grant me custody of our children because my husband has failed in his role as father and breadwinner towards them.
I, further plead that the court compel him to be responsible for their feeding, education, and health care.
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, adjourned the case.
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