A housewife, Mrs Maria Adoga has told an Upper Area Court Makurdi, Benue State that her husband of nine years, Moses was an alcoholic who abuses her.
Maria, in a divorce suit, said she got married to Moses in 2013 under the Idoma Tradition Laws and later had a church wedding at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, but that their marriage has broken down irretrievably.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Maria stated that their marriage is blessed with three children aged seven, five and eight months.
“During our courtship and early part of our marriage, my husband was very loving, but he later changed and became hostile towards me.
“He beats me mercilessly without any provocation. I have reported multiple injuries and I can’t bear it anymore.
“He drinks all sorts of alcoholic drinks and misbehaves in the presence of our children and neighbours,” she said
The petitioner also said the respondent was in the habit of abandoning their matrimonial home for weeks once he received his monthly salary.
She further said that the respondent does not pay rent and has abandoned his responsibilities as a father and husband.
“My husband in 2020 showed some symptoms of mental disorder.
“My children and I are no longer safe living in the same apartment with him,” she said.
She thus prayed for divorce.
She also pleaded for custody of their three children.
The petitioner asked for the sum of N300,000 annually for the children school fees and welfare and monthly maintenance allowance of N50,000.
In his defense, Moses pleaded with the court.
“We are in the process of settling the matter out of court,” he said.
The magistrate, Vershima Hwande, adjourned the case.
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