‘My husband beats me black and blue’, divorce-seeking wife tells court

A divorce-seeking woman, Kudrat Arogunmola has prayed a Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her 11-year-old union to estranged husband, Ahmed on grounds that he was a spendthrift and irresponsible.

Arogunmola, a mother of two, who resides in Akpata area of Ibadan told the court that she had to move out of her property when her husband turned her into his punching bag.

“My lord, Ahmed lives a flamboyant life and spends lavishly outside his matrimonial home, but refuses to show any form of responsibility on the two children and I.

“In fact, he beats me black and blue.  Ahmed is a fine man outside, but a terror inside.

“I reported all the incidents to Ahmed’s father, but he did not change for the better,” Arogunmola said.

She, therefore, pleaded with the court to prevent the respondent from further threatening her life.

However, the respondent was not in court for his defence.

The bailiff explained that the respondent was served through substituted means of his WhatsApp address.

Delivering judgment, President of the Court, Mrs S.M. Akintayo held that there was no marriage to be dissolved between Arogunmola and Ahmed on grounds that there was no presentation of bride price and performance of other essential marital rites required for a lawful or valid customary marriage.

Akintayo noted that the evidence given by the petitioner that introduction was the only important thing that took place between both of them was not controverted by the respondent because he was absent.

The court president, therefore, granted the order restraining Ahmed from harassing, threatening, and interfering in the private life of Arogunmola henceforth.

She also awarded custody of the two children in the union to the petitioner.

Akintayo ordered Ahmed to provide for his children.