A woman, Beatrice, has sought the dissolution of her 20-year-old marriage to her husband, Alani, at Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, alleging that he was irresponsible and always maltreated her.
Beatrice added that Alani was cruel and sometimes assaulted her.
The plaintiff explained that she bore the responsibility of their children’s training both within and outside the country school after her husband announced that he was no longer giving them formal education.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant once beat her blue-black and she lost a tooth for warning his girlfriend to stop coming to their matrimonial home.
Beatrice further said that she later walked out of her marriage when it was obvious that there was no end to her husband’s abuse of her.
The plaintiff, in addition to divorce, pleaded for their children’s custody.
Alani denied all the allegations brought against him by his wife.
He stated that he and Beatrice normally had altercations but that these never resulted in physical combat.
Alani further explained that Beatrice was aggressive and in the habit of shouting at him, not minding that he was the head of the home.
According to Alani, Beatrice once brandished a cutlass at him during an argument.
He added that at another time, she held his manhood and refused to let go.
Alani stated he was admitted to the hospital after the assault.
The defendant stated that their marriage finally hit the rock the day he caught the plaintiff in an isolated place with her lover and in a compromising position.
Alani stated that his wife, rather than show a sign of remorse, started bragging.
Beatrice, in her testimony, said, “My lord, I am married to an irresponsible man.
“I endured our marriage for the two decades we lived together.
“I packed my belongings and moved out of our matrimony home when it was obvious that there was no end to my husband’s maltreatment of me.
“My husband is a brute.
“He once beat me and removed one of my teeth because I warned one of his girlfriends to desist from coming to our matrimonial home.
“I shouldered the responsibility of our children’s education after he suddenly decided he was no longer training them in school.
“We have children schooling both within the country and abroad, and their school fees are enormous.
“I work round the clock to ensure they are not thrown out of school.
“He hates to see me and cares less about our children’s welfare.
“I, in addition to divorce, appeal for our children’s custody.”
Alani responded, “Beatrice had no regard or respect for me while she was still living under my roof.
“She is a liar.
“It is true that we had altercations, but none ever ended in a fight.
“My wife is rather the aggressive one.
“She once brandished a cutlass at me during a disagreement, and I took to my heels.
“She lost a tooth after she held my cloth during a misunderstanding and then slipped.
“She hit her mouth on a table nearby and her tooth flew out.
“At another time, she held and pulled my manhood and refused to let go.
“I was on admission in the hospital for days after she finally released it.
“I tried my best for our children but my wife kept frustrating all my efforts.
“She ended up turning our children against me.
“I paid for one of our children’s external examination and drove her to the examination centre but she went incommunicado after the result was released.
“I contributed financially towards another’s move in seeking a greener pasture, but my wife discouraged him from communicating with me when he got there.
“My wife is promiscuous and is often found in the company with male friends who visit joints and drink alcohol.
“I once caught her in an isolated place and in a comprising position with one of her lovers.
“I left the scene not uttering a word.
“My lord, my wife, rather than being remorseful, started bragging.
“There and then, I decided our marriage was over.”
The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, after she had heard both parties, adjourned the case.
Source : tribuneonlineng.com
