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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.