A man, Jacob has sued for the divorce of his wife, Ayanfe at Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State on the grounds of misbehaviour, constant fight, violence and threat to his life.
Jacob stated that his once gentle wife suddenly changed and went wild.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant became uncontrollable and took to fighting him.
Jacob stated that Ayanfe once fought his lover and almost maimed her, while at another time, she drew a knife at him.
The plaintiff also accused the defendant of transferring money from his account to hers, adding that she sold his generating set and DVD.
Jacob begged the court that his prayer be answered, while he also requested an order restraining Ayanfe from threatening, fighting, or interfering with his private life.
Ayanfe refused that their union be dissolved.
She explained that Jacob’s attitude changed towards her in particular and the family as a whole when he started dating another woman.
According to her, Jacob neglected her and their children and refused to be responsible for their upkeep.
The defendant admitted to fighting her husband’s lover, whom she stated was rude to her.
Jacob, in his testimony, explained, “My wife and I never held a traditional wedding, while I did not pay her bride price.
“We started living together as a couple shortly after we met.
“Ayanfe was as gentle as a dove and well-behaved early in our marriage. I was glad to have made the right choice, but my joy was short-lived.
“My wife suddenly changed from the loving and easygoing woman I knew her to be, to an unruly and uncultured person.
“She became wild in her behaviour and made fighting a daily occurrence in our home.
“I tried as much as possible to be patient with her, thinking she would see reason and change, but the worse she became.
“Ayanfe, apart from tearing almost all my clothes to shreds during fights, has made our home uncomfortable and unwelcoming for me.
“She is neither in the good book of our neighbours who try as much as possible to avoid her because of her unruly behaviour.
“My wife got me mad the day she fought with my lover.
“She descended on her with punches and almost maimed her.
“Not done, she went for a knife and drew it at me.
“I would have been a dead man by now.
“Ayanfe is full of atrocities. I no longer put my trust in her.
“She transferred money from my account to hers.
“She in addition sold my generating set and DVD.
“My lord, my wife will kill me if you do not end our marriage.
“I have had enough of her unruly and unguarded behaviour.”
Ayanfe responded, “My lord, I do not agree to divorce.
“I still love my husband despite his misbehaviour.
“Our marriage started experiencing crises when he decided to start farming outside our town.
“I requested that I and our children go with him, but he refused.
“He was initially coming home at weekends, which was okay by me.
“But gradually, he stopped coming home and also shirked his responsibilities towards me and our children.
“He left us to starve and languish in poverty.
“My husband deserted us, and all my appeal that he returned home fell on deaf ears.
“I decided to pay him a visit and met him with a woman who is his lover.
“He was obviously lavishing money on her.
“I went mad at the sight of her.
“My anger became uncontrollable when she started using unprintable words at me.
“I pounced and descended on her with punches.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo after she had heard both parties adjourned the case till April 16.
*Photo illustration courtesy Saturday Tribune
