MICHAEL AKINOLA
A man, Olawale Idowu, has fled from his matrimonial home in Ibadan, Oyo State, over constant beatings from the wife, Yemisi. He ran to the Court seeking for the dissolution of their marriage in order to save his life.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the vehicle spare parts dealer, Idowu has told the Customary Court at Mapo, Ibadan, to end his marriage to his estranged wife, Yemisi, on grounds of constant violence.
An embittered Idowu, who resides at No. 25, Okeolode, Aremo area of Ibadan, lamented that he regretted getting married to the woman because of beatings over the years from her and pleaded with the Court to dissolve their marriage.
“My lord, in spite of my relentless endurance in our matrimony, Yemisi remained troublesome. In fact, I abandoned the house for her on December 16, 2023, when she violently attacked me at midnight.”
“Yemisi slaps me and tears my clothes at will,” he said.
An embattled Idowu told the Court that when Yemisi was served a notice to appear before the court, she tore the summons and threw it at him. He tendered the torn clothes and the summons as exhibits.
Responding to the allegations levelled against her, Yemisi stated that she was convinced her husband abandoned her for another woman.
“It is true that there was a midnight fight between both of us in December.
Idowu’s mother was aware of all that took place. Rather than resolve the matter amicably for us, she threatened to deal with me.”
“My mother in-law called in the Police and I was arrested,” Yemisi said.
The Court’s President, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, held that none of the evidence tendered before the Court indicated that there was presentation of bride price, which was essential in the validity of a lawful customary marriage in Nigeria.
Akintayo said that there was no marriage to be dissolved between Idowu and Yemisi because same never existed in the first place.
Contrary to Idowu’s prayers, the President of the court awarded custody of the three children in the union to Yemisi.
She directed Yemisi never to deny Idowu access to the children in addition to being jointly responsible for their welfare, education and other necessities.
Akintayo ordered them to go their separate ways from now on.
She also granted the order restraining Yemisi from threatening, harassing, disturbing and interfering in Idowu’s private life henceforth.