A man, Jameed, has dragged his wife, Tawakalitu, before Grade A Customary Court, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of their marriage over allegations of infidelity, physical assault, violence, neglect and destructive behaviour.
The plaintiff alleged that his wife had no regard for him and habitually left their home without his consent, sometimes staying away for as long as a week without disclosing her whereabouts, reports Saturday Tribune.
Jameed further claimed that Tawakalitu engaged in extramarital affairs and openly spoke with her alleged lovers on the phone in his presence without regard for his feelings.
According to him, the defendant lived an extravagant lifestyle while neglecting her responsibilities at home.
He stated an instance of when she spent their children’s school fees on frivolous expenses.
He also alleged that she constantly left their home dirty and untidy, making it uncomfortable for the family.
He also told the court that his wife was a poor cook.
According to him, despite giving her N60,000 monthly for food, she prepared only one meal a day, thus leaving him and their children hungry on several occasions.
Jameed also alleged that Tawakalitu told their 15-year-old daughter that she was “ripe enough” to start sleeping with men, adding that the girl reported the conversation to him.
He further accused his wife of repeatedly assaulting him whenever he confronted her about her conduct.
According to him, she once struck him in the face with the heel of her shoe, leaving him with a permanent scar.
The plaintiff also alleged that Tawakalitu later resorted to destroying his property.
He told the court that after he sent her out of their home and remarried, she allegedly continued visiting his house and office to attack him and vandalise his belongings.
Jameed urged the court to dissolve the marriage, grant him custody of their children and restrain the defendant from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.
Tawakalitu was absent in court despite reportedly being served with court summons.
While giving evidence, Jameed said, “I married my wife under native law and customs and paid N5,000 as her bride price.
“My marriage failed because she is irresponsible and lacks virtues.
“She was involved in extramarital affairs and even had the audacity to call and converse with her lovers in my presence without caring about my feelings.
“There were times she left home without my permission and stayed away for up to a week without telling anyone where she was.
“She always left our home dirty and untidy, making it an uncomfortable place to live.
“Despite giving her N60,000 every month for food, she neglected and starved our children. She cooked only once a day and was a very poor cook.
“One day, I returned from work unexpectedly and found our children washing plates at a canteen.
“They told me their mother took them there to work and that they were given food after washing the plates.
“When I confronted her, she claimed she wanted them to learn house chores.
“My Lord, our 15-year-old daughter later told me that her mother said she was ripe enough to sleep with men.
“My wife was also violent. She always attacked me with any object she could lay her hands on. On one occasion, she hit me in the face with the heel of her shoe, leaving me with a scar.
“I eventually sent her packing and married another wife because I could no longer tolerate her behaviour.
“Despite that, she still came to my house and office to fight me and destroy my property.
“My Lord, I am tired of her behaviour.
“I respectfully ask this honourable court to dissolve our marriage, grant me custody of our children because she is a bad influence on them, and restrain her from threatening me or invading my privacy.”
After listening to the plaintiff’s testimony, the court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case.
