Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, has brought an end to the relationship between a couple, Gbolagade and Omodunke on the account of irresponsibility, lack of love and care, lack of respect for parents, and threat to life.
Gbolagade said that Omodunke, a once loving, caring and dutiful woman became defiant, hostile and a threat to his life, after he failed in his attempt to renew his visa to Dubai, reports Saturday Tribune.
The plaintiff explained that their home was joyous and his relationship with his wife blissful because he dispensed his responsibilities towards his family to the best of his ability while residing and working at Dubai.
The plaintiff explained that he enrolled their children in one of the best schools around and also ensured they were fed with a balanced diet food at every meal.
According to the plaintiff, he ensured that both his children and wife lacked.
The plaintiff stated that the situation of things later changed in their home and went from bad to worse.
Gbolagade added that the relationship between him and his wife also fell apart all because his fortune nose dived.
He explained that his wife became unreasonable, rude and went as far as attempting murder.
Gbolagade said he has endured his wife’s misbehaviour enough and could no longer tolerate such any longer.
He, therefore, prayed the court to end their relationship.
The plaintiff also entreated the court for their children’s custody.
He further requested an order restricting his wife from threatening and encroaching on his privacy.
Omodunke refused that their marriage be dissolved.
She explained that she had remained supportive of her husband as they faced the financial crisis.
Omodunke stated that she went as far selling her piece of land to pay one of their children’s tuition fee in the tertiary institution.
The defendant said that her husband dragged her to court mainly because he planned to take a new wife.
Omodunke refused that her husband had custody of their children.
She pleaded that they be with her while the court made her husband responsible for their upkeep.
Gbolagade, in his evidence said, “My wife and I got married in December 2003 and I paid her bride price.
“We had a beautiful marriage and a peaceful relationship.
“Ten years into our marriage, 2013 precisely, I left the country in search of a greener pasture.
“I was in Dubai working and sending money home for the needs of both my wife and our children.
“I ensured our children were enrolled in a standard school and I paid their fees although high as at when due.
“I also showered my wife with attention and met all her needs.
“Our home was a happy one.
“All these unfortunately changed at the expiration of my visa and my inability to renew it.
“My once loving wife became a pain in the neck.
“She was unfriendly, troublesome, rude and always sought every opportunity to fight me.
“She also turned our children against me.
“I also paid the high tuition fee of our first child who is in a private university from her first year to the third as at when due.
“My wife turned her and her siblings my enemy when it was obvious that I could no longer afford the fee.
“My wife also became hostile towards me and criticised all that I did.
“She was always ready to fight me.
“She was likewise rude to my parents, my father in particular and almost beat him up during a misunderstanding.
“My wife is not trustworthy. I realised after I returned to Nigeria that my wife had been cheating me by collecting from me more than our children’s school fees.
“She did the worst when she attempted to take her life by drinking snipper because I could no longer afford her lofty lifestyle.
“I am tired of my marriage and relationship with my wife.
“I pray that our union be dissolved.
“I in addition plead for our children’s custody.
“I further request an order restricting my wife from threatening and infringing on my privacy.”
Omodunke, responding, said, “I pray the court to spare our marriage.
“I am positive that my husband dragged me to court because he wants to marry another wife.
“My father-in law in addition is also a force behind the step my husband took.
“I never stopped supporting my husband and showering him with the necessary love and care in his predicament.
“I went as far as selling my piece of land to pay our daughter’s school fee in the university.”
The president of the court, Mrs O.E Owoseni, after she had heard both parties stated that both had a valid and subsisting customary marriage because the bride price was paid.
Owoseni stated that the plaintiff claimed that the defendant exhibited different forms of intolerable behaviour which she did not challenge.
Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union and ordered the plaintiff to be responsible for their second child’s education.
The first child she stated was old enough to decide where to stay.
