Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned till May 14, further hearing of a divorce case brought before it by a man, Adeleke, against his wife, Oluronke, whom he accused of conniving with her mother to make life difficult for him.
Adeleke stated that he always feared going home after working hours because Oluronke and her mother never ceased to threaten and rain curses on him.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant and her mother planned to turn him into a moron and take over his property by giving him a concoction to drink.
He added that he was out of town on an official assignment for a few weeks, but that when he returned, his wife and mother had left with their child and all his property.
Adeleke said Oluronke had denied him access to their child since she deserted him.
The plaintiff, therefore, pleaded that, the court grant him access to their child.
Oluronke refused to make an appearance in court despite being served a court summon and hearing.
Adeleke, in his testimony, said, “My wife was already pregnant with our baby by the time we got married.
“We held a customary marriage, and I paid N20, 000 as her bride price.
“She put to bed three weeks after we wedded, and I offset her medical bills with the assistance of my parents.
“We were living in a one-bedroom apartment before we had our baby, but her mother started putting pressure on me that I rented a three-bedroom flat after our baby came.
“According to her, a room was too small to accommodate us and our belongings.
“I gave in to her advice and rented a three-bedroom flat, and my mother-in-law to my chagrin moved in with us, using the baby she was helping us to nurse as an excuse.
“My mother-in-law gradually usurped my role as the head of the home and started dictating the tune.
“She always threatened to make my life miserable anytime I called her attention to the fact that the home was mine.
“I lived daily in fear with my mother-in-law living under my roof and always dreaded going home after closing hours.
“She extended her hostile behaviour towards my mother, who came to spend a few weeks with us.
“My mother-in-law was always on my mother’s neck and refused that she enjoyed her stay with us.
“I met my mother crying on many occasions after returning from work.
“My mother, being obviously frustrated, had to cut short her stay. She returned to her house a sad woman.
“My wife, all the while had been insensitive to my plight.
“Angry and pushed to the wall, I told my wife her mother also had to leave since she denied my mother a peaceful stay with me.
“My wife, rather than being sensible, went wild and rained curses on me.
“She took sides with her mother and became rude and disrespectful to me.
“Oluronke and her mother made life unbearable for me in my house.
“My wife after a while suddenly changed and started behaving nicely to me.
“I felt relieved. My thinking was that she had come back to her senses, but I never knew she meant the worst for me.
“I got into a problem at the office, and I poured out my mind to my wife on returning home.
“She brought a concoction which she advised I took on a regular basis.
“According to her, this would ward away evil and grant me favour before my boss.
“I was glad she was of help and acceded to her advice.
“I never knew my wife and her mother’s plan was that I would become a moron as I drink the concoction and then they would take over my property.
“Their evil plan was later made known to me.
“I was out of town on official assignment for a few weeks, and on returning, I met an empty house.
“My wife and her mother had left with our child and all my property.
“My lord, I pray this court to dissolve my marriage to my wife.
“I also pray for order granting me access to our child who she has kept away from me for some years now.
“I also want to know her school so that I can pay her school fees as at when due by myself.
“I further request for an order restraining my mother-in-law from coming to my place of abode or work place to threaten me.
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo after she had heard the plaintiff adjourned the case.
She ordered a fresh hearing notice to be issued and served the defendant.
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