MICHAEL AKINOLA
A housewife, Fatimo Oyetola, has told her husband, Sikiru Oyetola, before the Court that she was not ready for any divorce and so Sikiru will have to continue with the marriage.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the embattled Sikiru dragged his wife, Fatimo, before the Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking for the dissolution of their marriage on the grounds of constant fighting by Fatimo, which has led to his lack of rest of mind.
He also pleaded with the Court to grant him custody of their children and restrain his estranged wife, Fatimo, from threatening and fighting him in his places of abode and work.
However, Fatimo did not agree to the divorce and refused her husband custody of their children as she claimed that Sikiru has failed in his roles as father and breadwinner towards their children.
Fatimo told the Court that her husband, Sikiru, has plans of putting their children in the care of his new wife, which she would not agree to.
She explained that their marriage started having crises after Sikiru took another wife, who is a prophetess, much older than him and abandoned her and their children for almost four years.
She narrated that Sikiru sent her text message on 1st April, 2023 and reminded her that it was a year he ordered her to move out of his house and the next day, he came and threw out her belongings and destroyed her property.
“I endured the hardship because of our children and refused to divorce him.
Members of the landlord association in our area mediated in our differences and got me an accommodation in the same neighbourhood so that our children would not have the need to change their school, while I also retain my source of livelihood.”
“My mother in-law has been supportive and had been sending to me the little amount she can afford for our children’s upkeep from time to time.”
“I entreat this Honourable Court to grant me custody of our children so that I can take good care of them.
I cannot let Sikiru hand over our children to his new wife when I am alive and hearty” Fatimo stated.
Sikiru, in his evidence stated, “My wife moved in with me after we courted for some months. We didn’t carry out the traditional wedding ceremony because her family was not then ready to entertain such.They gave me and my family a go-ahead to carry out the marital rites as was expected of us, after we had our second child, but I did not pay her bride price”.
“Fatimo became a thorn in the flesh immediately she moved in with me. She is troublesome in nature and never ceased to fight me. She refused to take counsel from me and almost snuffed life out of me with her constant fight.”
“Our home was hellish to live in while peace permanently deserted us.
My family members, after becoming tired of settling the differences between my wife and me, left us to ourselves.
I became fed up with her one day and threw out her belongings.”
“I pray the Court to end our marriage and grant me the custody of our children.”
The Court President, Mrs. S.M Akintayo, reserved judgment till 25th September, 2023.