A woman, Mariam has told Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, that she is no longer interested in her marriage to her husband, Ibrahim, on the accounts that he is irresponsible and has no love and care.
Mariam added that he is a gambler and that he runs into debt almost all the time.
According to her, she has spent a fortune offsetting his debt and this is taking its toll on her business.
The plaintiff entreated the court for custody of their child but pleaded that her husband be made responsible for her upkeep.
The defendant refused to enter an appearance in court despite being served court summonses.
Mariam giving her evidence said, ”My husband and I did not hold any wedding ceremony and he did not pay my bride price.
“I moved in with him after he impregnated me and we started living together as husband and wife.
“I realised a few weeks into our marriage that I made a mistake allowing my husband to impregnate me.
“He showed me no love or affection.
“He failed to provide for my welfare despite being pregnant.
“I paid for my ante natal treatment and bought the necessary items needed for our baby.
“My husband to my chagrin not only neglected and starved me, but he took to beating me.
“He would beat me to a pulp any time I demanded for feeding allowance.
“My lord, my husband gambles and always run into debt.
“His creditors always report him to me and on many occasions demand that I offset his debt because he would have gone into hiding.
“This automatically took its toll on my business which went almost bankrupt.
“My lord, I never received a word of thanks from my husband for always bailing him out.
“Rather than show appreciation, he would beat me.
“My lord, I want to put my past behind me and move on with life.
“I pray that you end our relationship, grant me custody of our only child, but make my husband solely responsible for her welfare.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, giving judgment stated that the defendant had obviously shown that he was also no longer interested in her marriage, having been given ample opportunity to defend himself, but that he refused to come to court.
Ruling, Akintayo stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary wedding was held between the two and no dowry was paid.
Akintayo granted the plaintiff custody of their child and mandated the defendant to be responsible for her upkeep.
