Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned for further hearing a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Aduke, against her husband, Aremu, whom she accused of being lazy, refused to work and was being fed by his parents.
Aduke added that she worked round the clock to make up for her husband’s inadequacies, but rather than appreciate her, he took to complaining and beating her in the presence of their children.
The plaintiff stated that she walked out of their marriage because she derived no joy in it.
She thus entreated the court for custody of their children, whom she said were not getting the needed care staying with her mother-in-law.
Aremu denied all the allegations leveled against him. He also refused that his wife have custody of their children.
Aduke, in her testimony, said: “If I had known that my husband was a never-do-well, I would not have married him. I had already got into the trap called marriage before the wool was pulled off my eyes.
“We carried out our wedding ceremony according to Islamic injunction; he paid my bride price, but this was returned to his family. I realised that my husband was jobless a few weeks into our marriage. He was lazy and was never willing to work.
“He forfeited several job opportunities he had by always giving lame excuses. He carried out no responsibility in the home, while we lived from hand to mouth.
“My husband neglected me during pregnancy and never gave a helping hand. He never bothered about my health and refused to help me with the house chores even when I was down.
“I laboured day and night to cover up his inadequacies. I fed him and washed his clothes so that he could look presentable. But rather than show gratitude, all I got were complaints, slaps, severe beatings and punches, even in the presence of our children.
“His family made matter worse. Instead of calling him to order, they pampered and gave him money. He was in the habit of reporting me to his mother in particular, and she would come to our home to rain abuses on me.
“I once left him and took our children along with me. His family begged and persuaded me to return, stating that he had changed. I went back to him, but unfortunately, nothing about him had changed. I got fed up struggling to survive and moved to Lagos to seek means of survival.
“I encouraged our children to go and spend their holiday with him, but he refused that they return to me. He took them to his mother who poisoned their minds against me.
“She has refused me access to these children and has failed to take proper care of them. Our children obviously lack the necessary attention and are looking malnourished.
“I beseech this honourable court to grant me their custody, but make my husband responsible for their upkeep.”
The court president, Mrs. S.M Akintayo adjourned the case for further hearing.
READ ALSO: Flood: 11 dead, 41,192 displaced in three Niger LGAs
