A woman, Mariam, has pleaded with Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to put an end to the union between her and her husband, Lateef on the grounds of irresponsibility, lack of love and care, constant fight and domestic violence.
Mariam, in her suit, implored the court to grant her custody of their only child, but make the child’s upkeep her husband’s responsibility.
The plaintiff, in addition, requested an order restraining the defendant from coming to her place of abode to threaten or fight her.
Lateef denied all the allegations brought against him.
He also refused his wife had custody of their child.
Mariam said in her testimony, “My husband impregnated me shortly after we met.
“I was living with my mother before we met and stayed with her throughout the time I was pregnant.
“My husband and I did not hold any wedding ceremony, and he did not pay my bride price.
“My husband has been unfair to me since I became pregnant.
“He refused to carry out his duties towards me and denied me the needed attention.
“Lateef contributed nothing towards my antenatal care and did not provide the needed items for the baby we were expecting.
“It was my mother and siblings who rallied round me when I put to bed and provided the necessary items needed for our child’s care.
“I gave birth to a premature baby who obviously needed extra care and attention, but my husband ignored these facts.
“He gave me only N1,000 per week for seven weeks after I put to bed and then stopped being committed to our child’s welfare.
“My mother-in-law has been hostile to me and distant from the day one of my pregnancy, likewise every other member of my husband’s family.
“Lateef added to my anguish by always beating me.
“He would fight and hit me with any object within his reach, not minding that I was nursing a baby.
“It was only one of his sisters who showed me kindness.
“She covered my shame by giving me her clothes to wear during our child’s naming ceremony.
“My lord, I have suffered enough in the hands of my husband and his family.
“I want to put all this horrible experience behind me and move on with life.
“I, therefore, pray for divorce and custody of our child.
“I beg that the court make my husband responsible for our child’s upkeep.
“I further request for an order restraining my husband from threatening, fighting, or interfering with my private life.”
Lateef giving his evidence said, “My lord, I do not agree that my wife has custody of our child.
“She will put our child in her mother or sister’s care if granted custody. I want the baby in my care.
“My wife is a liar. She stayed with my sister and her mother during pregnancy.
“My mother was supplying her foodstuff all through her stay with my sister.
“She moved to my mother’s place after childbirth, and I was giving her N1,000 per week since there was food in the house.
“Mariam showed no warmth towards me.
“She was always moody and would refuse to cook for me.
“Mariam was in the habit of abusing and raining curses on me.
“I never beat her, despite her rude behaviour.
“She later moved out of my mother’s house and came to court.
“My lord, I am no longer interested in my wife. I agree to divorce.
“I cannot afford training our child in a private school. The obvious option is the public school.”
The president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo, adjourned the case for judgment.
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