A woman, Aminat, has dragged her husband, Abas, to a court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding that their marriage be dissolved on the grounds of irresponsibility, abuse, violence and abandonment.
Aminat stated that Abass did not contribute in any way to improving her life and that of their children.
The plaintiff also stated that the defendant was rarely home and that when he was there only a few times, the children always kept their distance because he was always harsh and unkind to them.
She told of an incident when he sent their first child, aged four, away from home for a minor offence.
Aminat also said that most of the time she was responsible for the children’s well-being and especially their education.
She further said that he refused to sponsor their first post-secondary education after she graduated from high school.
According to her, she later became pregnant.
She told the plaintiff that she worked day and night to ensure that her home was free from defects, but that her husband did nothing but beat her.
According to Aminat, Abass once abandoned her and their first child, causing her to live with her parents for five years.
She added that he once accused her of immorality and beat her despite her pregnancy, causing her to faint.
The plaintiff further stated that after the argument, the defendant chased her out of his house with a machete and that she never returned.
She asked the court to dissolve their union, but she also asked for custody of their children and that her husband be responsible for their support.
Abass denied all allegations against him, but agreed to a divorce.
The defendant denied that the plaintiff had custody of their children.
He stated that he and his wife jointly paid their children’s school fees and that he took care of their other needs.
Abass explained that he never enjoyed his marriage to his wife because his father-in-law always spoiled his wife and meddled in their affairs.
According to the defendant, the plaintiff and his father encouraged their son to get involved with Yahoo Yahoo and also performed rituals for him.
He added that his wife was a member of a ladies’ club known for its immorality and that she became rebellious and rebellious at home.
Aminat testifies: “My husband is selfish and inhuman.
“He showed no interest in my well-being or that of our children and let us starve continuously.
“My husband was almost never home, and when he was, our children went into hiding because of his harsh and hostile nature.
“He once beat up our first child, who was four years old at the time, because she didn’t attend Arabic lessons and then sent her out of the house.
“I am the one who pays our children’s school fees and provides for their other needs.
“He refused to provide money for our first child’s further education after she graduated from high school, and she eventually became pregnant.
“My husband once abandoned me and our children, and I had no choice but to move back to my parents’ house.
“My children and I lived there for five years before we were reconciled again.
“I joined a ladies club to get a loan.
“He supported me and even bought me their T-shirt, but later he turned against me.
“He started accusing me of dating other men and beat me until I passed out, even though I was pregnant.
“I ran out of his house and never came back after he chased me with a machete during a fight.
“Sir, all I pray for is the dissolution of our marriage and custody of our children.
“I ask the court to force him to be responsible for the upkeep of our children, with nutrition, education and health care as priorities.”
Abass responded: “Everything my wife said is a lie. I am also fed up with our relationship. That is why I support its dissolution.
“I am responsible for the education of our children and paid for their West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam.
“Sir, my father-in-law refused to allow our marriage to succeed.
“He was always busy pampering my wife, giving orders and dictating the melody.
“My wife always sent our children to her father when I was disciplining them.
“I was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident and was in hospital for months.
“My wife and her father had our children’s lives turned upside down when I was released from the hospital.
“Our first child, who lived with my father-in-law without my consent, was impregnated right under his nose.
“He and my wife have been supporting our second child, who is 18 years old and is active at Yahoo Yahoo.
“My wife performed rituals for him, while my father-in-law rented an apartment for him, all because of what they earned from his indecent lifestyle.
“My wife left my house after we had an argument because she was acting rebellious and unruly after interacting with women who were morally decadent.
“She left with my belongings, documents of my real estate and photographs.
“I pray that the court will help her get everything back.”
The Presiding Judge, Mrs. SM Akintayo, adjourned the case after hearing both parties.
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