Wife Seeks Divorce Over Husband's Infidelity
A woman identified as Idiah has approached a Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, seeking the dissolution of her marriage, citing years of neglect, abuse, infidelity, and financial irresponsibility on the part of her husband, Olalekan.
Narrating her ordeal before the court, Idiah explained that the union began with only a traditional introduction ceremony, with her husband never paying her bride price. Despite this, she said the couple went on to live together as husband and wife and had six children.
According to her testimony, rather than fulfilling his role as the family’s primary provider, Olalekan repeatedly abandoned his financial responsibilities, leaving her to single-handedly cater to their children’s needs through her own business.
Idiah told the court that her husband instead channelled his resources toward multiple romantic affairs, lavishing money on girlfriends while their household struggled. She further alleged that he showed blatant disregard for her dignity, at times bringing other women into their matrimonial home and engaging in affairs on the same bed they shared as a couple.
The court heard that whenever Idiah confronted her husband about his conduct, his response was violent, with the petitioner describing a pattern of severe physical abuse that often accompanied her objections. She also accused him of deliberately destroying her business goods during these confrontations, a development she said ultimately collapsed her trade and pushed her into financial hardship.
Beyond the alleged violence and infidelity, Idiah disclosed that she now lives in constant fear due to persistent threats from her husband, which she said has made it increasingly difficult to feel safe within her own home.
In her prayers to the court, Idiah requested the full dissolution of the marriage, custody of their six children, and an order compelling Olalekan to take financial responsibility for their feeding, education, and medical needs. She also asked the court to issue a restraining order preventing her husband from threatening or interfering with her personal life going forward.
Olalekan, who was duly served with court papers, was absent from proceedings despite the summons.
Presiding over the matter, the court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case and directed that a fresh hearing notice be issued and served on the defendant before proceedings resume.
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