WOMAN, Fisayo, has dragged her husband, Gbenga, before Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, praying that it ends the relationship between both of them on the accounts of irresponsibility, infidelity, desertion and threat to her life by the latter.
Fisayo stated that Gbenga, apart from starving her and their children, was morally bankrupt and was in the habit of inviting young girls in their neighbourhood to their home and sleeping with them.
She said that there were times he brought into their matrimonial home strange women whom he slept with on their bed, while he asked her to sleep in the corridor.
She added that he deserted her and their children for two years and left them to suffer.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant, on his return, ordered that she moved out of his house, stating that he now had a new family.
She further said that he had refused that she had rest of mind because he was always coming to her shop to attack and threaten to kill her.
Fisayo pleaded for custody of their female children, stating that she was afraid he might sleep with them.
She also entreated the court to make her husband responsible for their children’s upkeep, giving priority to feeding, education, and health care.
She further requested an order preventing him from harassing, threatening and interfering with her private life.
Gbenga denied all the allegations brought against him by his wife, but acceded to divorce.
The defendant told the court that the plaintiff was in the habit of leaving the home early and returning late when their children were already in bed.
He also said that she constantly denied him sex, but that she was sleeping with another man whom she was having an affair with.
Fisayo, in her evidence, said, “My husband and I held an introduction ceremony after we met, but he did not pay my bride price.
“He turned my life upside down and made a mess of our marriage.
“My husband was irresponsible. He failed in his role as a breadwinner and made me and our children starve.
“He was morally bankrupt and ran after everything in skirt.
“He dated both women and teenagers. These teenagers live around us.
“My husband treated me with disdain.
“He would bring his lovers to our home and order me to sleep in the corridor overnight while he and his lover slept in our bed.
“He turned me to a laughing stock when he started having sex with young girls living in our neighbourhood, in our apartment.
“The more I complained, the more he beat me.
“My husband later deserted me and our children for more than two years.
“He did not leave any trace of his whereabouts.
“I had no other choice than to take up the challenge of our children’s upkeep.
“He suddenly surfaced, and I thought probably he had come to his senses.
“But to my chagrin, he ordered that I moved out of his house.
“According to him, he now has a new family.
“I moved out, but he still refused that I had peace. He is always coming to my shop to harass and sometimes assault me.
“I have had enough of my husband’s atrocities, and I pray the court to end our marriage.
“I plead that the court grants me custody of our female children because I fear he can start having s3x with them.
“I also entreat the court to make my husband responsible for our children’s upkeep, giving attention to their feeding, education, and healthcare.
“I again request an order restraining him from threatening and interfering with my private life.”
Gbenga in his response said: “My wife is liar. I did none of all she said. She was the one who neglected me and our children. She was always out of the house as early as 8:00 a.m. and would not return until 9:30 p.m.
“I expressed my displeasure at this, but she would always dismiss it with the wave of her hand.
“She was in the habit of denying me sex and would later complain that I engaged in extramarital affairs.
“My wife was also not faithful to me.
“She was dating a particular man while still living under my roof.
“I once caught both of them together in her shop at an odd hour, and she had no meaningful explanation to give.
“I again caught both of them eating together in her shop.
“My wife rather than cover her face in shame had the audacity to challenge me.
“I got angry and beat her and her lover to a pulp.
“She got me arrested by the police and I was served a court summon the following day.
“She later packed her belongings out of my house and also left with all my documents.
“My lord, I am also no longer interested in our marriage. I agree to divorce.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, in her judgment, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved since no customary marriage was held, and no bride price was paid.
She granted the plaintiff custody of their children and ordered the defendant to be responsible for their upkeep.
She also gave an order restraining the defendant from threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.
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