It was 17yrs since I saw my wife last after she deserted me for being poor —Husband

•He was the one who sent me packing —Wife

Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned until December 3, for further hearing on the divorce suit brought before it by a man, Lamidi against his wife, Jemila, on the account of desertion.

Lamidi said that Jemila walked out of their marriage and took along with her his belongings during financial crisis and that he did not set eyes on her for 17 years.

Lamidi also stated that he no longer wished to have any dealings with Jemila because he had taken another wife.

The plaintiff entreated the court to stop the defendant from bearing his name.

Jemila denied the allegations brought against her.

Lamidi, in his evidence, said,  “My wife and I got married 33 years ago but our marriage was not blessed with children.

“We hardly enjoyed our marriage because it was rocked by a financial crisis.

“My wife found it difficult to adapt to the situation and later deserted me.

“She walked out of my life 17 years ago, and I did not set my eyes on her since then until today.

“She did not only abandon me, but she also went away with my belongings.

“I later sought greener pastures abroad for nine years.

“I am now married to another woman, and since I cannot have two wives, I pray that the court dissolve my marriage to Jemila.

“I want her to stop bearing my name.

“I do not want to have anything to do with her again.”

Jemila responded, “My lord, he was the one who sent me packing.

“He told me to pack all my belongings and move out of his house.

“He frustrated every effort I made to get in touch with him.”

The president of the court,  Mrs S.M. Akintayo, after she had heard both parties adjourned the case.