A woman, Abibat Azeez has approached Oja Oba/Mapo Court C Customary Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of her seven-year-old marriage to her husband, Lateef Azeez.
Abibat told the court that her husband smokes Indian hemp; troublesome and loves beating her. She, therefore, pleaded with the court to put an end to their relationship. She also prayed that the custody of the only child in their marriage be granted her.
Lateef did not admit to claim.
Abibat giving her evidence said, “My husband’s day is made when he takes alcohol and smokes Indian hemp. He gets high and starts misbehaving in the house. He will take a cutlass and chase me all over the place if I dare complain of his smoking habit. I have had to sleep outside our home on some occasions so as to avoid being hacked down with his cutlass.
“He is irresponsible and finds it a task seeing to it that our only child and I fed well. Since his major food is Indian hemp, he feels unconcerned if we eat or not.
“He keeps late nights and when he finally returns home drunk, he will pounce on me and beat the hell out of me. He will also smash my things on the floor and trample over them. He would have killed me but for our neighbours who always come to my rescue, “she said.
“He reluctantly joined me in paying the house rent because our landlord threatened to throw out our belongings if we failed to pay, but he’s not concerned about our child’s education. I pay his school fees and do all other things that have to do with his education.
“I feel quite uncomfortable watching him smoke in the presence of our child but he’s not bothered. The last time we had a misunderstanding, he came to my shop to fight me. He destroyed my goods, beat and tore my clothes, “she added.
“My lord, I’ve experienced enough unrest and hardship in our marriage. I don’t want to go further in it, please set me free, “the plaintiff concluded.
The defendant refused to make appearance in court after a court hearing was served him twice.
Giving his judgment after listening to the plaintiff, the court president, Chief Ademola Odunola stated that “it was I expedient to dissolve the union since violence was involved.”
The absence of the defendant, according to him, implied he was also no more interested in their marriage.
Ruling, he dissolved their union and gave custody of their only child to the plaintiff. The defendant was asked to pay the sum of three thousand naira monthly through the court for the child’s upkeep and be responsible for his education and health care.
