My wife was violent, fought me all the time —Husband

Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State has ruled over a divorce suit brought before it by a man, Suraju, against his wife, Awawu, whom he claimed gave him no care and was in the habit fighting him.

He added that she always went violent any time she fought him.

The plaintiff stated that he was no longer interested in the defendant, who, according to him, packed out of his house out of her own free will.

Saraju pleaded for custody of their children, whom he stated that Awawu cared less about.

Awawu denied all the allegations Suraju brought against him and refused that their wedlock be dissolved.

The defendant stated the plaintiff was once responsible and committed to their children’s welfare, but that this changed after he met another woman who he later married.

According to her, he became violent, took to beating her, and neglected their children’s welfare.

The defendant said that the plaintiff deserted her and their children for over a year and left her to bear the brunt of their upkeep.

Awawu added that it was Suraju who threw her belongings out of his house.

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, gave her judgment after she had heard both parties dissolved their wedlock and granted the defendant custody of their children.

The plaintiff was mandated to be responsible for the upkeep of their children, giving importance to their feeding, education, and health care.

Both were advised to maintain peace.

Suraju, in his evidence, said, “My wife and I held an introduction ceremony a few months after we met, and we started living together as husband and wife.

“I did not pay her bride price.

“A few weeks into our marriage, I discovered I had made a terrible mistake getting married to my wife

“Awawu was troublesome and always fighting me.

“She was never satisfied with whatever I did and would always look for a fault.

“She would raise up a strong argument and end up fighting me.

“She refused to change despite her family and mine constantly mediating in our differences.

“She moved out of my house the last time we fought and went away with our children.

“My lord, I am no longer interested in our marriage, and I do not want Awawu in my vicinity.

“I further plead for custody of our children so that I can raise them properly.”

Awawu responding said, “My husband lied against me.

“He was the one who threw me and my belongings out of his house.

“My husband was loving, caring, and responsible towards me and our children.

“Our children’s welfare was his priority.

“But this changed after he met another woman who he eventually married.

“He deserted me and our children for over a year and left me to fend for our children.

“He was initially sending our children feeding allowance through his mother, but he later stopped.

“It was then that I learnt he was living with another woman.

“I never disturbed him and this other woman.

“I was happy when he returned home, but my joy was short-lived.

“My husband became violent and dealt ruthlessly with me.

“He was always punching and leaving me feeling sour anytime we had a misunderstanding.

“He later sent me and our children packing.

“Our children and I were sleeping in a mosque in our neighbourhood for weeks before the Landlord association of our area came to our rescue by sourcing accommodation for us.

“He stopped paying our children’s school fees and refused to give them feeding allowance.

“My lord, I do not accede to divorce.

“I also can not leave our children in his custody because I do not want them to be maltreated by another woman.”

Toluwani Olamitoke