“My husband deserted the home any time I was pregnant. He would beat and almost kill me when he was around, accusing me of dating other men, most especially my male customers, whom he would waylay and fight. He raved and cursed when he learnt that I have moved into my own house after he ordered me to pack out of his house.”
“I was told she slept around whenever I travelled. I ordered her out of my house when I could no longer put up with her immoral acts. She went away with documents of my landed property and has refused to release them.”
These were part of the evidence given by a couple, Tawakalitu Yekini and Musibau Yekini at the Grade A Customary Court, Oja Oba, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Tawakalitu who approached the court alleged that, Musibau constantly abandoned her and their children, failed to show them care, abused her physically and further threatened her.
She told the court she was fed up with her loveless marriage and therefore pleaded with the court to put a stop to their relationship.
Tawakalitu again entreated the court to order him to stop threatening and embarrassing her.
She pleaded for custody of their children, while she also begged that her husband be made responsible for their upkeep.
Musibau agreed that their union be dissolved, but pleaded that the court retrieved from his wife documents in respect of his landed property that was in her possession.
Tawakalitu told the court that, “My husband and I had customary marriage and he paid my dowry after we courted for a few years.
“Musibau rather than keep my company whenever I was pregnant and pamper me, would desert our home and abandon me.
“He could be away for as long as four months, not caring about my health and the welfare of our children.
“My husband always grew cold towards me when he was around. He would fight and beat me without showing me mercy despite my delicate state.
“He always accused me of dating other men, especially my customers who are mostly men. “He gave me little or nothing for my ante natal care the three times I was pregnant and even after I was delivered of our children.
“Musibau has never been kind to our children and shows them no love.
“He cared less about their welfare. He hardly made provision for their feeding not to mention clothing and education.
“I singlehandedly bore these responsibilities.
“My husband is indebted to me. He often borrowed money from me and would refuse to make a refund.
“I moved out of his house into mine after he threatened to kill me.
“Hell was let loosed when he learnt that I moved to my house. He raved and cursed and refused that I had rest of mind.
“He came to my shop to fight me and destroyed my goods.
“He went further to waylay and beat my male customers who he stated were sleeping with me.
“Not satisfied, he came to my mother’s shop to embarrass her.
“My lord, I have had enough of my husband’s atrocities. I dragged him before this honourable court in order to curtail his excesses.
“I pray the court to dissolve our union and grant me custody of our children.
“I further appeal to the court to mandate him to bear the demands of our children’s feeding, education and health care.
“Lastly, I plead for an order stopping him from harassing, threatening and fighting me and my customers.”
Musibau in his testimony said, “The picture my wife painted is false. I did not run away from home, but was always travelling.
“My ears were always full of stories of her promiscuous act anytime I was away. My friends did call and report her to me.
“Tawakalitu would always deny the allegations when I confront her.
“I got angry and fed up with her one day after I received the news of her promiscuous activities.
“I picked my phone, called and warned her to ensure she had moved out of my house before I returned, or else I would do her grievous harm.
“On my arrival I learnt she had moved to her newly built house with our children.
“I went there and fought her. That was the first and only time I beat her.
“My lord, she lied that I am irresponsible.
“I paid our children’s fee as at when due and gave my wife N2, 000 every other day for food.
“Tawakalitu again lied that I am heavily indebted to her.
“I owe her only N90, 000.
“My lord, Tawakalitu is dubious. She went away with documents of my landed property.
“I beg this honourable court to help retrieve them from her.”
Giving judgment, the court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo stated that the couple had Customary marriage, but that both has agreed to its dissolution.
Ruling, Akintayo dissolved their wedlock and granted custody of their children to the plaintiff.
The defendant was ordered to take full responsibility of their children’s feeding education and medical care.
Musibau was further restrained from disturbing, threatening or interfering with Tawakalitu’s private life.
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