A woman, Pelumi, has approached Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking that her marriage to her husband, Folarin be dissolved as a result of lack of love, neglect and constant battery.
Peliumi stated that Folarin refused to provide for her and their children, which made them live in abject poverty.
According to the plaintiff, she delivered all their children in the house because the defendant never gave her any money for ante-natal care and post-natal care.
She also said that he neglected her when she took ill, and she almost died.
She added that she went into farming to make ends meet, but that her husband rather than appreciate her took to beating her.
She also said that to her chagrin, he married a new wife.
Pelumi further stated that she moved out of her matrimonial home when he beat and almost killed her.
The plaintiff thus prayed the court to put an end to their wedlock and grant her custody of their children.
She also begged the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for their children’s upkeep.
Folarin denied all the allegations brought against him but agreed to divorce.
He stated that his family was never in support of his marriage to Pelumi, who abandoned her first marriage and moved in with him.
According to him, Pelumi made their home too hot to live in after he took a second wife.
Pelumi said in her testimony, “My husband and I started living together as husband and wife without carrying out any marital rite.
“He did not pay my bride price.
“My husband promised me heaven and earth when we were dating, but he reneged on his promises after I moved in with him.
“He showed me no love or attention. We no longer shared intimacy like we did before we got married.
“My husband failed in his duties towards me as the head of the home and breadwinner.
“He starved me and our children, and we consistently lived from hand to mouth.
“He refused that I registered in the hospital for ante-natal care the four times I was pregnant.
“I received no medical attention. I was introduced to herbs and concoction.
“I delivered all our children at home.
“I decided to go into farming to make ends meet. I cultivated and sold cassava.
“My family lived on the proceeds from my farm, and we experienced a relief financially.
“My husband, rather than show gratitude for all my efforts, went violent and took to beating me.
“On many occasions, it was our neighbours who always came to my rescue when he beat me.
“He was aggressive and always hit me with any object within his reach.
“There were times he locked me up in the room and would refuse that I went out.
“I took ill and was incapacitated for a while, but I received no attention or care from him.
“It was my family members who nursed me back to health.
“My husband, to my surprise, took a new wife before I got back on my feet.
“He thought I would die in my sickness.
“I packed my belongings and moved out of his house after he descended on me with punches while I was recuperating.
“My lord, I pray this honourable court to dissolve our marriage and grant me custody of our children.
“I further appeal that the court mandate my husband to be responsible for their upkeep, giving extra attention to their feeding, education, and health care.”
Folarin responded, “My marriage to my wife brought me no good.
“My family members had always insisted that I sent her away from my house.
“She was married and living with her husband when we met.
“She later deserted her home and moved in with me.
“She came along with the children she had in her first marriage, and I therefore had many mouths to feed.
“My wife abandoned me and moved to a village to farm.
“She cared less about my welfare, which made me opt for a new wife.
“She made our home too hot to live in when she learnt that I took another wife and refused that I had peace of mind.
”She lied that I did not take care of her when she was sick.
“I spent through the nose to ensure that her health was restored.
“My lord, l am also no longer interested in our marriage.”
“I want to live peacefully with my new wife.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, adjourned the case for judgment.
(Photo illustration courtesy Saturday Tribune)
