A Makurdi Upper Area Court , Makurdi, Benue State has ordered a housewife, Selumun Audu to pay her estranged husband, Philip, N10 million.
Delivering the judgment in Makurdi, Magistrate Rose Iyorshe, ordered that Audu should pay the amount in three installments from June to August.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Selumun dragged Philip, before the Upper Area Court alleging that the respondent shortly after their marriage in 2015, “started conducting himself in a manner incompatible with her lifestyle.”
Selumun told the court they got married in 2015 under the Tiv native laws and customs, but that their marriage was yet to be blessed with children.
Iyorshe stated that Selumun and Philip agreed that their marriage had broken down irretrievably and that there was no more love between them.
“Both parties have also agreed that the petitioner acquired the land where the estate which is under dispute was built even before they got married.
“The petitioner, however, has failed to show enough evidence that she has the financial capacity to build the estate.
“Evidence has it that the petitioner as a civil servant earns between N40, 000 to N60, 000 and in addition sells clothing and shoes.
“The possibility of erecting a five blocks of flat within two years with this amount is remote unless she has other means of earning money which are not stated in this case.
“In the light of the above, it cannot be denied that the respondent is a major contributor to the development of the block of flats on the land which belongs to the petitioner.
“Consequently, I enter judgment in this case as follows: The marriage between Selumun Audu and Philip, is hereby dissolved and they cease to be husband and wife.
“The petitioner is to pay the respondent N10 million as part of his contribution towards building the blocks of flat on her land during the subsistence of their relationship and eventual marriage.” the court held.
The petitioner had earlier told the court that her husband suddenly turned violent after they got married and made life unbearable for her.
She urged that court to dissolve the customary marriage she and her husband contracted in 2015 on the grounds of incompatibility.
The petitioner also prayed the court to order the respondent to vacate the matrimonial home acquired and developed by the petitioner.
However, the respondent, who conceded to divorce, told the court that he built the five blocks estate on the land of the petitioner and called witnesses and document to support his claims.
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