…I sold my piece of land to pay our child’s tuition fee —Wife

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has heard the prayer of a man, Ajibade, who brought a divorce suit against his wife, Aina, whom he accused of being irresponsible, nasty, quarrelsome, unloving, disrespectful and attempting suicide.

Ajibade told the court that Aina, his once-loving and devoted wife, suddenly changed and became a thorn in the flesh after he returned home from Dubai, where he sought greener pasture, when his visa expired and he could not get it renewed.

Ajibade explained that he started experiencing a strain in his finances and this, he added, took its toll on their well-being.

The plaintiff added that it became a difficult task paying the fee for one of their children at a private university.

He added that his wife, rather than bring him succour, made his life more miserable.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant was never pleased with all that he did in the home.

He added that she made the situation in their home worse by turning their children against him.

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Ajibade further said that Aina extended her unruly behaviour towards his parents and that she almost beat up his father during an altercation.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant even attempted suicide by drinking poison.

Ajibade stated that he no longer wished to continue in their relationship.

He thus prayed for the dissolution of their marriage. He also requested an order restraining his wife from threatening and encroaching on his privacy.

Aina refused that their union be dissolved.

She stated that she faced the challenge of running their home when her husband’s financial inability became obvious.

Aina explained that she went as far as selling her piece of land to pay the fee of their child in a private tertiary institution.

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The defendant said that her husband refused to reciprocate the love she displayed towards him and also failed to appreciate her commitment to the family.

According to her, these made their relationship turn sour.

Aina stated that her husband dragged her to court because he wanted to take another wife.

She implored the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for their children’s feeding, education, and general welfare since he was insisting on divorce.

Ajibade, in his evidence, said: “I got married to my wife in 2003, and I paid her bride price.

“We had a beautiful relationship, and our home was peaceful. I later sought greener pastures in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

“I was doing fine and ensured my family lacked nothing. Among other things, I enrolled our first child in a private university and paid her tuition fee from the first year to the third.

“Things took a new turn in our home after the expiration of my visa, and I was refused a renewal. I was forced to return to Nigeria.

“We had to make some adjustments in the home as a result of inadequacy of funds.

“I expected my wife to understand my plight, but she made life unpleasant for me. She became quarrelsome and was always complaining and nagging.

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“Things got worse when I could not pay the tuition fee of our child who was in her final year in a private university. She poisoned the minds of our children and turned them against me.

“I discovered after my return that my wife had been cheating me with regard to our other child’s school fees. She was collecting N48,000 from me instead of N18,000.

“My wife treated me with contempt. She extended her unruly behaviour towards my parents.

“She would have beaten my father up during a misunderstanding, but for the timely intervention of those around.

“My wife almost put me in trouble when she attempted suicide by drinking poison.

“My lord, the relationship between my wife and I had turned sour, and I no longer derive joy in it. I pray that the court rule that we go our different ways.

“I further request an order restraining her from harassing, threatening, or encroaching on my privacy.”

Aina in her response said: “My Iord, I do not agree to divorce. My husband dragged me to court because he wants to take a new wife.

“I have done all in my power to show him love and care since he returned home from Dubai, but all my efforts had gone unappreciated.

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“I have taken upon me the task of meeting the needs of our home since he became financially unstable, but all I got in return is complaint and unpleasant remarks.

“I went as far as selling my parcel of land to pay the tuition fee of our child in a private university. I am sure his father encouraged him to sue for divorce.

“My lord, if my husband is insisting on divorce, I plead that the court enforce it that he should be responsible for our children’s feeding, education, and general well-being.”

The court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that the evidence given by both parties adduced that they had a valid customary marriage and bride price was paid.

Owoseni further said that the defendant did not deny all the allegations brought against her.

According to her, none was challenged, which meant an admission of such evidence.

Owoseni, thus, granted the plaintiff divorce.

She struck out the plaintiff’s request for an order restraining the defendant from threatening and encroaching on his privacy.

She stated that the request was not backed with evidence by the plaintiff.

Owoseni further mandated the plaintiff to be responsible for their children’s education.