Risikatu in her suit accused Taiwo of irresponsibility, neglect and battery. She consequently prayed the court to terminate their relationship.
The plaintiff further requested for the right to have their children in her care.
Giving her evidence, Risikatu told the court as follows:”I curse the day I went into wedlock with my husband. He has succeeded in making life difficult for me since we got married 12 years ago.
“We fed from hand to mouth and lived with no hope for the following day for the twelve years we lived together.
“He never cared about my survival and that of our children; he abandoned his responsibilities totally and never felt disturbed seeing us languishing in abject poverty.
“My lord, he made matters worse by beating me almost every day.
“I packed my belongings out of his home because I knew he would never change.
“He called to see me after I left him and I gave him audience. We ended up arguing and he pushed me into a ditch. I was in pain for about two weeks. I had an X-ray and it was confirmed that I have a fracture. I have been on crutches since then while my leg is plastered.
“My lord, I don’t want to have anything to do with him again, please separate us.”
“I’ve done all in my power to make my wife come back home, but she refused my plea.
“She left for an undisclosed destination and her siblings threatened to get me arrested with the police for failing to produce her. I was forced to make a report at the police station so as not to be put into trouble.
“I was the one fetching water, washing our clothes and cooking food while we were together, but she still left me.
“Attempts were made by our spiritual leaders to reconcile us but she swore to end in hell rather than move back to my place. I told some of her siblings what transpired between us; they requested that we travelled to their home town in order to settle our differences but she turned down their request.
“Despite the fact that she had moved out with our children, I never stopped giving them feeding allowance. There were times I bought them things.
“She’s used to threatening me and telling me to come for our children in the court. I have all our conversations recorded on my phone. (He handed over the phone as a proof to the court president through the court bailiff. The court president listened to the recordings.)
“My lord, I went to her, knelt down, wept and begged that she returned home but she embarrassed me.
“I want the court to know that I’m responsible and pay our children’s fees as at when due. I didn’t push her into the ditch. Why should I do such a thing to someone I was begging?, “Taiwo asked.
The court president, Chief Ademola Odunade, after listening to the evidence of the duo stated that it was necessary that the court see the children before judgment was given.
He, therefore, adjourned the case till August 28 and asked the couple to come to court with their children.
and then