Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State has adjourned a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Abigail Idoko against her husband, Godwin Idoko.
Abigail who dragged her husband to court alleged that he was a brute.
The plaintiff stated that the defendant beat her at every given opportunity, not sparing her even when she was pregnant.
According to her, he drank himself to stupor every day and also smoked Indian hemp.
Abigail explained that Godwin sometimes beat her with a cutlass when he was high and drunk.
She added that her husband almost beat her father when he was once in such a state.
The plaintiff further said that she shouldered the responsibility of running the home because the defendant cared less about her welfare and that of their children.
Abigail told the court she was no longer ready to go further in her marriage to her husband and thus prayed the court to put an end to their relationship.
Godwin did not make an appearance in court despite being served court summonses.
Abigail giving her testimony said: “My lord, my husband has proved to be irresponsible since the outset of our relationship.
“Godwin impregnated me while we were courting and I moved into his house.
“We never held the formal marriage ceremony and he did not pay my dowry.
“We started living from hand to mouth immediately we got married because my husband is not judicious with his spending.
“He is indifferent to my welfare and that of our children and constantly starves us.
“My lord, I bear the responsibility of feeding my family with the proceeds from my business which is small.
“Godwin spends his income drinking and smoking.
“He can drink a barrel of alcohol and then starts to misbehave when he is drunk.
“My husband beats me to a pulp when he is drunk, and this almost every day.
“Godwin did not spare me while I was pregnant. I almost lost my second pregnancy when he beat me with a cutlass.
“He displayed the nuisance in him when he almost beat my father after he got drunk.
“Godwin is a bad influence to our children. He smokes Indian hemp in their presence and fills the whole of our apartment with the smell.
“My lord, I do not want our children to turn drug addicts. They are the only comfort I have in our marriage.
“I appeal to this honourable court to end our relationship and grant me custody of our children.
“I further pray the court to make him responsible for their upkeep.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, after hearing the plaintiff, ordered that a fresh hearing notice be issued and served the defendant.
She then adjourned the case.
*(Photo illustration courtesy of Saturday Tribune)
