My wife barred me from visiting her, denied me access to our son —Man

A man, Ibrahim, has dragged his wife, Mariam, before Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State on the accounts of denial of access to their only child.

Ibrahim told the court that he and Mariam were living separately and that she had their child who is a male with her.

Ibrahim stated that Mariam refused that he visited her place and denied him and their son an intimate relationship because she refused that their son spent time with him.

The plaintiff also complained that she did not allow their son to attend an Arabic school.

Ibrahim pleaded that the court rule that their son be put in a boarding school and share his vacations between both parents.

He also begged for an order for a go-ahead to enroll their child in an Arabic school.

The plaintiff promised to give their son N5,000 each month as feeding allowance.

Mariam pleaded for the custody of their child but did not accede to his enrolment in an Arabic school.

Ibrahim stated in his testimony that “Mariam and I met, dated, and had a child together.

“She never for once lived under my roof but has always had our child in her custody.

“She has our child who is a male with her, but she has constantly refused that I visit her place and also denied me access to our child.

“She disallowed that I developed a sound relationship with our son, which is causing me pain.

“I instructed her to register him in an Arabic school, but she refused.

“My lord, I want to be close to our child, and I want him to know me.

“I, therefore, pray that the court rule that our son shares his holidays between both of us while he attends an Arabic school.

“I promise to give him N5,000 every month as feeding allowance.”

Mariam, in response, said, “My lord, I do not understand the reason Ibrahim dragged me to court.

“Whatever relationship I have with him is basically a contract, and I have fulfilled my part.

“I was informed by our go-between at the outset of our relationship that all he wanted was someone who would bear him a child.

“I agreed to the arrangement, and he impregnated me.

“I informed him of the pregnancy, and went for a scan which revealed that the child was male.

“He was overwhelmed with joy and bore the financial responsibility of my ante natal care.

“I put to bed safely, and he did the naming ceremony.

“Our son has been with me since then, and I have been taking good care of him.

“He comes to harass and threaten me at my place of abode and work place which I pray the court to restrain him from.

“He insists on having our child with him, but he is too young. Ibrahim cannot take adequate care of him.

“I agree that we put him in a boarding school and that he shares his vacations between both of us.

“My lord, I do not accede to his enrolment in an Arabic school. He needs formal and quality education so that he can compete favourably with his peers.”

The court president, Mrs. S. M. Akintayo, adjourned the matter for further hearing.

Toluwani Olamitoke