The Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, has ruled that there was no marriage to dissolve in the divorce case between Adewole and Oluwabunmi, a couple locked in a bitter dispute.
Adewole had filed for divorce, citing his wife’s alleged irresponsibility, violence, and failure to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother.
The plaintiff alleged that the defendant abandoned all the house chores and always left their home dirty, and added that he always saved the situation by taking up her responsibilities in the home.
Adewole also alleged that Oluwabunmi always fought him, would become violent and destructive whenever they fought.
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He explained that she would sometimes bite him and pull his scrotum, and would not let go until he screamed and pleaded with her.
The plaintiff told the court that the defendant of recent threatened to take his life which was the reason he came to court.
Olubunmi denied all the allegations brought against her, and also refused that their marriage be dissolved. The defendant also refused that her husband had custody of their children, claiming that Adewole was heartless and unkind to her.
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“My lord, I am pleading for divorce because my wife lacks all it takes to be dutiful wife and loving mother. Our marriage is devoid of love and care. My wife was lazy, dirty and disrespectful,” the defendant said.
“We met about eight years ago and later held an introduction ceremony before she started living with me. I did not pay her bride price.
“My wife, rather than be a blessing unto me, frustrated me throughout the time we lived together. She was lazy and constantly abandoned her duties in the home.
“She never cleaned the house; never fetched water nor cooked. I took up these chores to cover up for her lapses, but she was unappreciative of my kind gesture towards her.
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“She neglected me and always fought me any time I called her attention to her irresponsible attitude. She would go violent, jump at me, tear my clothes, and sometimes bite me.
“My wife would go as far as destroying my things. She once smashed my expensive mobile telephone handset during a fight and showed no sign of remorse.
“Oluwabunmi was in the habit of pulling my scrotum any time we fought. She would pull it and refused to release it until I screamed and pleaded with her.
“My wife also maltreated our children. She always beat our first child blue black and later took to threatening me.
“She sent an SMS to my sister, in which she threatened that she would meet my corpse by the time she got to our house. “She fought me and my sister and moved out of my house. “My lord, I have lived better since she left me.
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“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to end our marriage, and grant me custody of our children. I also request an order restraining her from threatening and interfering with my private life.”
“My lord, all that my husband said is lies,” she said. “I disagree that our wedlock be dissolved.
“I also plead that the court rejects his prayer for our children’s custody. “I am their mother and do know how best to take care of them.
“I had our four children through cesarean operation, and only two of them are alive today. “He knew the state of my health, but he still expected that I carried out tasks that were injurious to my health.
“The doctor specifically told him to excuse me from strenuous jobs, but he still insisted that l swept, cooked, and washed his clothes. “My husband was nonchalant towards our children’s welfare.
“He paid little or no attention to their feeding and education. I have taken up these responsibilities over the years.
“He also neglected my emotional needs. He denied me s3x for over two years. I reported him to his sister, who unfortunately made matters worse. She took sides with my husband and rebuked me.
“I was humiliated and I felt cheated. “My sister-in-law and I ended up fighting each other, which made my husband to send me packing.”
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The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, gave judgment stating that there was no marriage to be dissolved since no customary wedding was held and no bride price was paid.
Akintayo put their children in the defendant’s custody, stating that they are underage and still in need of motherly care.
The defendant was restricted from threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.