A woman, Adeola Akinleye has asked Oja Oba/Mapo Court C Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to stop the relationship between her and her husband, Akeem Akinleye.
Adeola in her suit claimed that Akeem was a drunk and in the habit of giving their children alcoholic drinks. She added that he smoked Indian hemp and would always beat her when he was high.
The plaintiff entreated the court to end their relationship and grant her custody of their two children.
Akeem did not show up in court after having been served two court summonses.
Adeola while giving her evidence told the court that: “My lord, I knew my husband was troublesome and stubborn when we met, but I went into marriage with him believing that he would change or that I would be able to cope with his inadequacies, but the reality dawned on me when we got married.
“My husband starts the day gulping down sachets of dry gin. He tops this with wraps of Indian hemp and later pounces on me when he’s high, beating me blue black.
“My lord, Akeem also cultivated the habit of giving our children, who are not only still young but female, alcohol.
“I’ve found it impossible to save money despite working like a jackal because my husband is a devourer. Anytime I saved a meaningful amount, I always ended up using it to bail Akeem from the police custody. My husband was always arrested along with his friends by policemen on patrol for smoking Indian hemp. He has become a regular face at the police station.
“He lost his job last year May as a result of his non challant attitude to work. Rather than seek for another source of livelihood, he stayed back at home drinking and smoking while I fed him and our children.
“I advised him on for commercial motorcycle riding, rather than see reason with me, he got angry and started abusing me and my parents.
“My lord, he of recent planned to siphon my money by planning his own arrest. He left home and refused to return early. I initially felt unbothered because that was his usual practice. But I began to fret when he still failed to return by midnight.
“I called his line but he did not pick my call. I called his friend the following morning asking if he knew his whereabouts, but he had no clue. I, therefore, went to his parents to inform them of the incident.
“His sister later came to inform me he called to explain he was detained at a certain police station and that he needed money to secure his bail. Angry, I told my sister in-law I was not ready to part with a dime.
“My lord, while still discussing the issue, a neighbour who overheard us told us he saw him in the neighbourhood early this morning and that he gave him the impression he was going to work. It then dawned on me he wanted to dupe me.
“My lord, I’ve bore enough with Akeem’s irresponsible behaviour. I want a clean cut from him, but I pray that I be granted our children’s custody and that the court make him responsible for their upkeep, “she stated.
Giving his judgment, the court president, Chief Ademola Odunade noted that the defendant’s non appearance in court after being served two summonses showed he was not ready to save his marriage. Ruling, Odunade ended their relationship and granted custody of their two children to the plaintiff.
The defendant was instructed to give their children N10, 000 per month for their feeding and also be responsible for their education and health care.
A copy of the judgment was asked to be given him while both were advised to maintain peace.
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