A housewife, Fatimo Oyetola, dragged to court for a divorce by her husband has insisted that the marriage will not be dissolved under her watch.
The husband, Sikiru Oyetola, told the Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, that she was fed up with his marriage because Fatimo was always nagging and fighting him.
He asked the court to grant him custody of their children and restrain his Fatimo, from threatening and fighting him in his places of abode and work.
Responding, Fatimo said there would be no divorce because she would not agree it. She also insisted that their children would always be with her.
Fatimo alleged that trouble started in their home when her husband started dating and later married an older prophetess.
She told the Court that her husband has plans of putting their children in the care of his new wife, which she would not agree to.
She told the court that Sikiru sent her a text message on 1st April, 2023 and reminded her that it was a year he ordered her to move out of his house. The following day, he allegedly stormed the house to throw out her belongings.
“I endured the hardship because of our children and refused to divorce him.
“Members of the landlord association in our area mediated in our differences and got me accommodation in the same neighbourhood so that our children would not have the need to change their school, while I also retain my source of livelihood.”
“My mother-in-law has been supportive and had been sending to me the little amount she can afford for our children’s upkeep from time to time.”
In the event that the marriage will be dissolved, she urged the court to give her custody of their children.
“I entreat this Honourable Court to grant me custody of our children so that I can take good care of them.
I cannot let Sikiru hand over our children to his new wife when I am alive and hearty” Fatimo stated.
Sikiru, who seemed determined to end the marriage told the court, “My wife moved in with me after we courted for some months. We didn’t carry out the traditional wedding ceremony because her family was not then ready to entertain such. They gave me and my family a go-ahead to carry out the marital rites as was expected of us, after we had our second child, but I did not pay her bride price”.
“Fatimo became a thorn in the flesh immediately she moved in with me. She is troublesome in nature and never ceased to fight me. She refused to take counsel from me and almost snuffed life out of me with her constant fight.”
“Our home was hellish to live in while peace permanently deserted us.
My family members, after becoming tired of settling the differences between my wife and me, left us to ourselves.
I became fed up with her one day and threw out her belongings.”
“I pray the Court to end our marriage and grant me the custody of our children.”
The Court President, Mrs. S.M Akintayo, reserved judgment till 25th September 2023.
