Metro

‘My Health Started To Deteriorate After My Husband Became A Herbalist’

Published

2 months ago

February 28, 2026

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled in a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Apeke, who dragged her husband, Kamoru, before the court, claiming that he was irresponsible, not loving and caring, brutish in behaviour and also fetish in nature.

Apeke told the court that she experienced woe and pain in almost all the 19 years she was married to her husband.

The plaintiff explained that the defendant was a barber when they met and got married.

According to her, the defendant later gave up his career as a barber and became a herbalist.

Apeke further said that Kamoru then became involved in fetish practices and kept disturbing and frightening objects in their house, which made her feel uncomfortable at home.

She also stated that her husband was indifferent to her well-being.

The plaintiff said that the defendant regularly burned substances that produced strong odours which she claimed were affecting her health.

She added that her condition was worsening day by day.

According to Apeke, she solely bore the burden of running their home because Kamoru regularly dodged his responsibilities towards her and their children.

She stated that her husband was a brute, and that she always received severe beatings from him anytime she complained about his irresponsibility and cruel behaviour.

The plaintiff added that she walked out of their marriage when she could no longer stomach her husband’s misbehaviour.

She pleaded for their children’s custody but entreated the court to mandate her husband to take responsibility for their care, giving priority to food, education, and healthcare.

Apeke further requested an order of the court to prevent her husband from harassing and threatening her, and also intruding in her private life.

Kamoru was absent in court, although he was served with court summonses.

Apeke, in her evidence, said: “I got married to my husband 19 years ago.

“We had a traditional wedding, but he did not pay my bride price.

“My husband was a barber when we met, and he was doing fine in his profession.

“Our marriage was blissful in its early stage, and life for us was rosy.

“But these stopped the moment my husband decided on abandoning his trade, which was no doubt lucrative.

“Things started to fall apart in our home the moment my husband picked up the job of a herbalist.

“He became irresponsible and selfish.

“He abandoned his duties towards me and our children and left me to carry the burden.

“I worked relentlessly to make ends meet.

“My husband also became fetish and unapproachable.

“He was stern and hostile in behaviour and dreadful in his looks.

“He kept disturbing and frightening items in the house, which made me and our children uncomfortable.

“My husband showed no concern for my well-being or that of our children. He regularly burnt substances which emitted strong odour that had a negative impact on my health and that of the children. And he did this at all times.

“My husband was not worried that my health was deteriorating day after day.

“He always became irate any time I complained of his behaviour which I found very absurd.

“He would become fierce and pounce on me, and beat me to a pulp.

“I walked out of our marriage a year ago since it was obvious he would not change. I took our five children along with me.

“He took to threatening and blackmailing me after I left him.

“I pray that this honourable court rule that we go our different ways.

“I also plead for our children’s custody.

“I further entreat the court to mandate my husband to be responsible for our children’s upkeep and give priority to food, education, and healthcare.

“I further request an order restraining him from intruding into my private life.”

The court president, Mrs O. E. Owoseni, in her judgment, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no subsisting marriage was held between the two parties.

Owoseni explained that according to the plaintiff, no customary marriage was contracted between both parties.

She further added that the evidence by the plaintiff is deemed as credible since it was not contradicted and not controverted by the defendant who decided not to defend himself by not appearing in court despite being served court summon and hearing notices.

According to Owoseni, this indicates that he has admitted all the facts of the case and claims of the plaintiff.

Based on the above, she awarded custody of all their children to the plaintiff and granted the right of reasonable access to the defendant.

She ordered the defendant to be responsible for their children’s feeding, education, and health.

Owoseni further gave an order restraining the defendant from threatening and intruding into the plaintiff’s private life.

Metro

Imo Court Sentences 34-year-old Man To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu to death by hanging after finding him guilty of serial armed robbery and kidnapping.

Johnbosco, a native of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of the State, was said to have been arrested in 2024 along Okigwe road, Owerri, in a stolen vehicles and after interrogation, he confessed to have been in the business of armed robbery and hostage taking, operating within Imo and Abia States with his gang.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice C.N Akowundu said the defendant was guilty of all the eight count charges against him as the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges leveled against the accused person.

He recalled that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang who are currently at large, trailed one Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his house at Aba while driving along with his wife and whisked the couple away, robbing them of their car and the sum of US2800 dollars.

While the wife was freed along the road, the husband was blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was held hostage for close to six days.

Meanwhile, the defendant and his gang members that same day, about same time, before the abduction of Mr Rex had already abducted one Emmanuel Okezie who was also driving along the same route with Mr. Rex.

Their victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of 3.7million naira and 15 million naira, respectively.

Justice Akobundu, in the judgement, further remarked that Ashiegbu drives in fleet of cars and routinely changes ownership of all vehicles he stole to his name, including the ones he gifted his elder brother and sister during her birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel pleaded for leniency that the accused had not been convicted of any offense in the past and is the breadwinner of his family married with children who depend on him.

Waving out the request from the defendant counsel, the Judge said that the defendant himself did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel in Ministry of Justice, urged the court to give its pronouncement in line with the dictates of the law.

He noted that the defendant had not shown any atom of repentance even as he had been found guilty of all the charges before the Court.

The Judge, in his final judgement, said the accused was guilty of all charges levelled against him and therefore sentenced to death by hanging.

Metro

12 Suspected Cultists Arrested In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

Twelve suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).

The suspects were arrested at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest was carried out on May 7 following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

She stated that during preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to be cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.

Ikoedem said the operatives recovered a gray Mercedes Benz Jeep with registration number GWA 471 DS allegedly belonging to one Balogun Isreal, who is currently at large.

The Statement read in part, “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have arrested 12 suspected cultists at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi in Edo North following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

“The suspects, Abiola Anabgaifo, 33yrs; Idogo Joshua, 28yrs; Oseni Sani, 22yrs; Aminu Abubakar, 19yrs; Iyamah Precious, 29yrs; Usman Rapheal, 29yrs; Ogene Jude, 31yrs; Ibrahim Akeem, 27yrs; Tunde Bright, 20yrs; Jude Edeh, 21yrs; Godwin Edeh, 19yrs; and Aigbona Clifford, 20yrs, being were arrested on 7th May, 2026 at about 6:00pm after they allegedly mobilized from Okpella to launch attacks on perceived rivals.

“Preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to being cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.”

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response and professionalism of these Officers, stressing that the Command will sustain its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the State.

He noted that all suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism unit and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Command warns all criminal elements to either repent or leave Edo State, as the Command remains fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone threatening the peace and security of residents.

Metro

My Husband Beat Me, Abused Me Verbally — Wife

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

…I never did such things — Husband

A businesswoman, Patricia Philip, has prayed a Customary Court in Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve the marriage between her and her husband, Ossai Philip, over alleged molestation.

The petitioner said this in a divorce petition she filed against her husband in court.

“My husband is constantly fighting and molesting me without justification. He beats me often and also uses abusive words on me.

“He reacts aggressively to literally every little provocation,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The petitioner said that all the ill treatment had caused her emotional distress and that she feared for her safety.

She told the court that she could no longer cope with her husband’s alleged violent behaviour, which she said, had destroyed her trust and confidence in him.

She also told the court that she feared that continued cohabitation with the respondent may endanger her life and well being.

The respondent, Philip, who is a businessman, denied the allegations.

The presiding judge, Festus Enomhonse, however, adjourned the case.