The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, has dissolved the marriage of a couple, Gbolagade and Omodunke, on the grounds of irresponsibility, lack of love and care, lack of respect for parents and threat to life.
Gbolagade alleged that Omodunke a previously kind, caring and dutiful woman turned stubborn, angry and a threat to his life after he failed in his quest to renew his visa to Dubai, writes Saturday Tribune.
“The plaintiff’s home was a happy one and his relationship with his wife was a blissful one as he discharged his responsibilities toward his family to the best of his abilities while living and working at Dubai,” said the plaintiff in his testimony.
The plaintiff testified that he enrolled their children into one of the best schools in the area and also made sure that they were provided with balanced diet meals in every meal.
The plaintiff testified that he saw to it that his wife and children lacked.
The plaintiff said that later the situation of things altered in their home and went from bad to worse.
Gbolagade said that the relationship between him and his wife also went south because his fortune nose dived.
He said his wife was irrational and unpleasant, and even tried to kill him.
Gbolagade stated he had suffered enough of his wife’s misbehaviour and could not accept it any longer.
He thus urged the court to dissolve their marriage.
The plaintiff also asked the court to take custody of their children.
He also sought an order restraining his wife from intimidating him and invading his privacy.
Omodunke said no to the dissolution of their marriage.
She said she had still backed her husband through the financial crisis.
Omodunke said she even sold her own piece of property to cover one of their children’s tuition fee in the higher institution.
The defendant said her husband hauled her into court mainly because he wanted to get a new wife.
Omodunke also denied that their children were in the hands of her husband.
She pleaded with them not to leave her alone to face the court and hold her husband responsible for their maintenance.
In his evidence, Gbolagade, said “My wife and I got married in December 2003 and I paid her bride price.
We had a great marriage, a pleasant relationship.
“Exactly after ten years of marriage, that is, in 2013, I left the country in search of greener pastures.
I was working in Dubai and sending money home for the necessities of my wife and our children.
I assured our children registered in a normal school and I paid their fees as at when required, despite hefty.
“I also lavished my wife with attention and fulfilled all her needs.
Our home was a pleasant one.
Unfortunately this all changed when my visa ran out and I was unable to renew it.
My wife, who previously loved me, became a pain in the ass.
“She was unpleasant, bothersome, unfriendly and continually looking for every opportunity to fight me.
“She brain-washed our kids against me, too.
“I also paid the high tuition fee of our first child who is in a private university from her first year to the third as at when due.
“When it was clear that I could not afford the fee any longer, my wife turned her and her siblings my enemy.
My wife turned against me, too, and damned everything I did.
She was always ready to take me on.
She was disrespectful to my parents as well, particularly my dad and almost beat him up in a misunderstanding.
My wife is no one to trust. When I came back to Nigeria, I discovered my wife was defrauding me by collecting more than the school tuition of our children from me.
“Her worst was when she tried to commit suicide by drinking snipper, because I could no longer afford her extravagant lifestyle.
I am tired of my marriage and relationship with my wife.
“I pray for the dissolution of our union.
I also plead for the custody of our children.
I also ask for an order to stop my wife from threatening me and invading my privacy.”
Omodunke responded, “I pray the court to save our marriage.
“I am sure my husband has taken me to court because he wants to marry another wife.
“My father-in-law is also a force behind the step my husband took.
‘I did not stop to support my husband, and to love him as much as was necessary in his circumstances.
“I even sold my piece of land to pay our daughter’s school fee in the university.
The president of the court, Mrs O.E Owoseni said after hearing both parties, the bride price was paid and therefore, both had a lawful and subsisting traditional marriage.
The complainant said the defendant engaged in various kinds of behaviour which she did not question as unbearable, Owoseni said.
In his ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union and ordered the plaintiff to take care of the schooling of their second kid.
She said the first child was old enough to pick where to remain.
About the Author
