Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Ayodeji and Bidemi as a result of the display of irresponsibility and lack of love by the latter, and an attempt to usurp the former’s position in the home.
The plaintiff stated that the defendant lacked the attributes of a virtuous woman, reports Saturday Tribune.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant had no regard for him, and refused that he had peace of mind.
He also said that she abandoned all her responsibilities in the home.
Ayodeji further stated that Bidemi refused to take instructions from him and never ceased to fight him.
The plaintiff recounted how the defendant once crushed his scrotums during a fight, while her brother beat him blue and black for an offence he never committed.
Ayodeji also told the court that Bidemi once arrested him with the police under a false claim.
The plaintiff said he had had enough of his wife atrocities and thus prayed for divorce.
He pleaded for their children’s custody and also requested an order restraining his wife from harassing, threatening and interfering with his private life.
Bidemi denied all the allegations brought against her but agreed to divorce.
The defendant refused that the plaintiff had custody of their children.
Bidemi explained that the plaintiff refused to give her and their children feeding allowance, adding that he beat her at every given opportunity.
According to the defendant, the last time they fought, he attempted to strangle her.
Ayodeji in his testimony said, “My wife and I held introduction ceremony after we courted and I paid her bride price.
“I have known no peace since I got married to my wife.
“Bidemi has failed to add value to me, all she does is to fight me and turn the whole house upside down.
“My wife displays no virtue. She has failed to be a good example to our children.
“She abandoned her responsibilities in the home and turned the whole house upside down.
“Bidemi has no regard for me. She is defiant and always insisted on having her way.
“All that she planned to do was to usurp my position in the home.
“My wife almost killed me when she crushed my scrotum during a fight.
“She arrested me with the police under a false claim and I was detained.
“Her brother is not better. He came to my house to beat me and almost snuffed life out of me.
“My lord, Bidemi has made my life miserable enough. I no longer want her under my roof.
“I pray this honourable court to end our relationship and grant me custody of our children because she is not a good example to them.
“I also request an order restraining her from harassing, threatening and interfering with my private life.”
Bidemi, responding, said: “My lord, my husband lied that he paid my bride price.
“He daily failed in his responsibility towards me and our children.
“He hardly gave us feeding allowance; all that he knows how to do is to beat me.
“Our family members had mediated in our crises on several occasions, but he refused to change.
“The last time we fought, he attempted to strangle me.
“My lord, I give my consent to the dissolution of our marriage, but I disagree that my husband had custody of our children.
“I further appeal to the court to make him responsible for their feeding, education and health care.”
The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving her judgment, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was held between the duo and no bride price was paid.
