Rachael Omidiji
On Wednesday, 15th March 2023, Tawakalitu Olayiwola, an Ibadan-based trader, asked a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to annul her 20-year-old marriage due to theft and battery.
Ms Olayiwola said that she decided to call it quits with her husband, Ganiu Olayiwola, because her life was under threat due to constant high blood pressure.
“In fact, I started denying him sexual intercourse because I used to be too tired when he made advances to me at night.” She told NAN
However, she alleged that her refusal to have sexual intercourse with her husband resulted in him calling her an adulterer and unleashing mayhem on her.
Also, she added that Mr Ganiu had been battering her since 2003 at any slightest provocation.
She also added that his husband attempted to pour acid on her, making her hypertensive.
“Ganiu had never been a responsible husband to me and father to our three children.
“My Lord, he usually gives the three children and me N1,000 as feeding allowance for six months.
“Due to his lack of care, I worked hard to keep the home going, especially the children, but Ganiu was unhappy with me.”
Ms Olayiwola further explained how her husband stole her television, money, and mobile phone.
“I got Ganiu arrested by the police, and he was interrogated for stealing some of my property, but he denied it.
“However, I saw the same mobile phone he denied stealing with him when we got home from the police station.
“Ganiu has become a bad influence on our first child because the latter now displays his bad characters.”
The respondent, who did not oppose the suit, conceded that he truly beats his wife for constantly returning home late at night.
“I was patient with Tawakalitu and warned her for three years, but she remained a disobedient wife.
“In fact, if she feels like discontinuing with me, Olayiwola is free,” Mr Ganiu said.
In his judgment, the court’s President, S.M. Akintayo, held that there was no marriage to be dissolved in the first place between Olayiwola and Ganiu.
Mrs Akintayo explained there was no valid customary marriage between them based on the evidence available to the court.
She awarded custody of the three children in the union to the petitioner. She ordered the respondent to take up the responsibility of feeding, schooling and medical needs of the children.
The president also gave an order restraining Ganiu from harassing, intimidating, and interfering with the personal life of Olayiwola.
