A Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has heard the testimony of a woman, Bintu, who is seeking the dissolution of her marriage to her husband, Adele, over allegations of infidelity, domestic violence, and threats to her life.
Bintu told the court that she constantly lived in fear of her husband because of what she described as his reckless lifestyle, reports Saturday Tribune.
She alleged that Adele regularly neglected and starved her and their six children while spending his income on other women.
According to her, he frequently brought his lovers into their matrimonial home and slept with them on their bed.
The plaintiff further alleged that her husband was physically abusive, claiming he often beat her severely and left her nursing injuries for days.
She also accused him of repeatedly disrupting her business by coming to her shop to fight with her and destroy her goods, a situation she said eventually ruined her source of livelihood.
Bintu told the court that her marriage had brought her nothing but pain and hardship and urged the court to dissolve the union.
The defendant, Adele, was absent from court despite being served with court summons.
While giving evidence, Bintu said, “A few months after we met, my husband and I held an introduction ceremony and began living together as husband and wife.
“However, he never paid my bride price.
“I soon realised that my husband was reckless, irresponsible, and morally bankrupt.
“He constantly neglected me and our six children, depriving us of basic needs while spending his earnings on his lovers.
“He often brought these women into our home and slept with them on our matrimonial bed.
“Whenever I challenged his behaviour, he assaulted me, leaving me with injuries that took several days to heal.
“He has never shown concern for our children’s education or their future.
“I struggled to provide for our children through my small business, but he repeatedly came to my shop to fight with me and destroy my goods until the business eventually collapsed.
“I now live from hand to mouth because I have no one to support me financially.
“I am no longer interested in continuing this marriage and respectfully ask the court to dissolve our union.
“I also pray for custody of our children and ask the court to compel my husband to take responsibility for their upkeep. “In addition, I seek an order restraining him from threatening me or invading my privacy.”
After hearing the plaintiff’s testimony, the President of the court, Mrs S. M. Akintayo, adjourned the matter for judgment.
