My husband beat me shortly after I put to bed, woman tells court

Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has heard the evidence of a woman, Wuraola, who dragged her husband, Olalere, to court on the accounts of irresponsibility and physical assault.

Wuraola stated that Olalere constantly shirked his responsibility in the home and passed the bulk of it to her and her family members.

She added that her husband was inhumane and fond of beating her.

The plaintiff gave an instance of when he beat her three months after they had their first child, and she landed in the hospital.

Wuraola added that Olalere not only beat her but was also in the habit of tearing her clothes when fighting with her and leaving her naked.

She further said that her husband sometimes came to her shop after she had moved out of his house to beat and destroy her goods, thus leaving her bankrupt.

The plaintiff told the court she had had enough of her husband’s atrocities and therefore pleaded that their union be dissolved.

Olalere denied all the allegations brought against him but agreed that their union be dissolved.

Wuraola, in her evidence, said, “My husband and I had a traditional wedding, and he paid my bride price, but he has not ceased beating me since we got married.

“My husband is inhumane and does not have the milk of kindness flowing in him.

“Olalere cared less about my welfare all the time we lived together in our marriage.

“He treated me with contempt and never ceased to maltreat me.

“My husband was never in agreement nor satisfied with all that I did, and this caused disaffection between us.

“We fight on a regular basis, and he would beat me to a pulp.

“He once beat me three months after I had our first child, and I ended up being admitted in the hospital.

“It took a while before I recuperated.

“My husband not only beat me, he was in the habit of tearing my clothes off me, thus leaving me naked.

“I initially kept his brutish manner of treating me to myself early in our marriage, but later cried out when I realised he could kill me.

“I reported him on several occasions to my parents, who always admonished me to be calm.

“Olalere is highly irresponsible.

“He was never willing to pay my hospital bills any time I put to bed.

“I had our three children through cesarean operation, and the hospital always gave us a high bill.

“There was never a time my husband paid these bills. He would complain of paucity of funds and leave me to sort myself out.

“My parents always came to my aid. They were the ones who paid the bills when we had our second and third children.

“I walked out of our marriage when it was obvious that my husband would kill me as a result of his maltreatment.

“Olalere still had the guts to come my shop to fight me and destroy my goods.

“I reported him to the police and he was arrested and detained, but was later released.

“My lord, the relationship between my husband and I has failed.

“I pray the court to rule that we are no longer husband and wife.

“I also plead that the custody of our children be granted me because they are still young and my husband has no time for them.

“I further beg the court to restrain my husband from coming to my house or shop to fight and destroy my goods.”

The president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo, adjourned the case for further hearing.