An Ibadan man identified as Mutairu has told the Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, that his wife identified as Jelilat is arrogant, disobedient and threatening to kill him.
Mutairu said his wife has always been competing with him in the house, while accusing her of abandoning her duties as wife and mother.
According to Mutairu, Jelilat stopped cooking for him two years ago and also kept malice with him.
He further stated that she rained curses on him on a daily basis and always swore to send him to jail or kill him.
The plaintiff stated that his life was no longer safe with the defendant and thus pleaded that an end be put to their union.
Mutairu entreated the court for custody of their children.
He, in addition, sought an order restraining Jelilat from threatening and infringing on his privacy.
Jelilat denied all the allegations brought against her expect one, that she refused to cook for her husband.
She acceded to divorce but refused that her husband had custody of their children.
According to her, if the children were put in her husband’s custody, he would turn them against her.
Mutairu testified, “I got married to my wife on August 9, 2008, and paid N5, 000 as her bride price.
“My wife moved in with me and turned my life upside down.
“We are always at loggerhead because she aims at usurping my position in the home.
“My wife is a bad example to our children.
“She refused to take corrections from me and is always fighting me.
“My wife stopped cooking for me about two years ago.
“I cook for our children and carry out other house chores.
“We relate like strangers in the home.
“She keeps malice with me and will refuse to answer me when I address her.
“My wife rains curses on me and always says I will not end well.
“Anytime we fought, she would swear to send me to prison or kill me.
“My lord, I pray my wife can make her threat real.
“I came to court for divorce before she ruined my life.
“I beseech the court to dissolve our union and grant me custody of our children.
“I entreat the court for our children’s custody because my wife lacks good morals and cannot impart them positively.
“I further request an order restricting her from threatening and encroaching on my privacy.”
Jelilat replied, “All that my husband said is false.
“He never paid a dime as my bride price.
“We still live under the same roof, and there was never a time that I harassed or threatened him.
“He lied against me to gain the court’s favour.
“My lord, it is true that I refused to cook my husband’s food. He does not deserve such luxury.
“I refuse that he has our children’s custody.
“My husband is mean, and he will turn our children against me.”
The president of the court, Mrs O.E Owoseni, after she had heard both parties, adjourned the case for judgment.
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