‘My husband deserted me, his family insisted I moved out of his house because I don’t have a child’

A woman, Silifat, has prayed Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to put an end to the relationship between her and her husband, Kundus, whom she accused of neglect, lack of care, disinterest in their marriage and denial of conjugal right.

Silifat stated that her husband and his family members became hostile to her because she was barren.

The plaintiff explained that her once loving and caring husband suddenly changed and ceased to care about her welfare.

She added that he became withdrawn and his interest in their relationship began to wane.

Silifat further stated that Kundus constantly denied her sex.

According to Silifat, Kundus did the worst when he deserted her about three years ago.

Silifat, in addition, said that Kundus family rubbed salt in her injury by demanding that she move out of their son’s house.

Silifat, in addition to divorce, requested an order restraining her husband from threatening and interfering with her private life.

Kundus refused to make an appearance in court despite the services of hearing notice on him.

Silifat, in her evidence, said,  “My husband and I met about five years ago, and he paid my bride price.

“We had a beautiful relationship at the outset of our marriage, and we were happy.

“We started experiencing a strain in our relationship when we had a delay in having children.

“My once loving and caring husband gradually became cold towards me and withdrawn.

“He stopped giving me attention and cared less about my welfare.

“He also denied me sex and refused to give me his support in all efforts that I made that we had children

“My husband to my chagrin latter deserted me.

“He left home three years ago without leaving a clue as to his whereabouts.

“His family members likewise refused that I had peace of mind.

“They became hostile and demonstrated that their shoulder was not there to cry on.

“His family members demanded that I moved out of their son’s house.

“My lord, I have had enough of my in-laws’ hostility.

“I pray the court to dissolve our union so that I can move on with my life.”

The court president, Mrs O.E Owoseni, giving her judgment stated that both parties had a valid and subsisting customary marriage because the bride price was paid.

According to her, consequent upon the defendant’s deserting of their home for three years now and his family’s demand that she   leaves their son’s home, the court dissolved their union.

Owoseni further dismissed the claim to restrain the defendant from threatening and interfering with her private life.

According to her, the plaintiff stated that she set eyes on the defendant three years ago, so the claim could not stand.