My husband, his mother, slap me all the time, now I’m almost blind —Wife

•She’s stubborn —Husband

A man, Ibrahim, has pleaded with Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve his six-year-old marriage to his wife, Rekiat, on the grounds of stubbornness, disobedience and domestic violence by the latter.

Ibrahim stated that Rekiat is difficult to live with.

He explained that she never took counsel from him and always loved to have her way.

Ibrahim also said that Rekiat was in the habit of leaving home in the morning and returning in the evening.

The plaintiff further added that he later discovered that she went about doing a menial job, washing clothes for people without discussing it with him.

Ibrahim pleaded for the custody of their children, whom Rekiat had neglected.

He stated that his wife’s vision is impaired, and as such, her ability to take proper care of their children was limited.

The plaintiff further requested an order restraining his wife from harassing, threatening, and interfering with his private life.

Rekiat acceded to divorce.

The defendant admitted doing a menial job.

According to her, she took up the job of washing other people’s clothes in order not to die of hunger.

She stated that the plaintiff had constantly neglected and starved her.

Rekiat further explained that her vision was clear and bright before she got married to Ibrahim, but that it became impaired as a result of the slaps she always received from her husband and his mother during misunderstand.

She agreed that her husband had custody of their children while she pleaded for easy access to them.

Ibrahim, in his testimony, said, “I met my wife in 2018, and we started dating.

“I impregnated her in 2019, and she moved in with me.

“I started to discover my wife’s real nature after we started living together.

“My wife is stubborn and loves to have her way.

“She always refuses to receive instructions from me and will insist on her way.

“She leaves home early in the morning each day, not bothering about our children’s welfare, and would return in the evening.

“The more I complain, the more adamant she becomes.

“She never discussed with me where she always went.

“I later found out that she goes about washing clothes for people.

“My wife has soiled my name enough.

“I, therefore, pray that our wedlock be dissolved.

“I entreat the court to grant me custody of our children.

“My wife’s vision is blurred, and therefore can not take proper care of them.

“I want to monitor our children’s education and give them the best.”

Rekiat responded, “My lord, I am also no longer interested in our marriage.

“It is true that I took up a menial job.

“I wash other people’s clothes to avoid dying of hunger.

“My husband cares less about my welfare and that of our children.

“I work round the clock to ensure that our children in particular do not starve.

“My lord, my eyes were clear and bright when I got married to my husband, but he and his mother have made me almost blind because they always slap me during misunderstanding.

“He can have custody of our children, but I plead that the court grant me access to them. “

The court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, giving judgment, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was held, and no bride price was paid.

She added that both were just cohabiting.

Owoseni further said that the paramount interest of a child must be considered when it comes to the issue of custody.

According to Owoseni, the defendant is virtually impaired and has no proper job to sustain herself and their children.

She added that again, the defendant had bequeathed her right to have their children in her custody to the defendant.

Ruling, Owoseni granted the plaintiff custody of their children while the defendant was awarded the right of reasonable access to them.

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