A man, Gbolahan, has approached the Grade Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of his nine-year marriage to his wife, Sarah, on the grounds of alleged infidelity, incessant fighting, physical assault, and threats to his life.
Gbolahan accused Sarah of being unfaithful to him and threatening him with a knife after she discovered that he was dating two ladies in his church.
According to him, she was involved in a romantic relationship with a tricycle driver and frequently sent him affectionate messages.
The plaintiff further described Sarah as unfriendly and quarrelsome.
He stated that her constant disputes with neighbours forced the family to relocate four times within eight years.
He added that Sarah became even more hostile, troublesome, and violent after discovering that he was dating two female members of his church.
Gbolahan alleged that his wife regularly insulted, assaulted, and humiliated him.
He claimed that the situation in their marriage worsened when Sarah began threatening him with a knife.
According to him, he moved out of their matrimonial home last year to prevent her from carrying out her threats.
He further stated that whenever they met afterward, Sarah continued to verbally abuse and embarrass him.
The plaintiff told the court that he had become exhausted by the defendant’s constant harassment and mistreatment, which prompted him to seek legal intervention.
Apart from seeking the dissolution of their marriage, Gbolahan requested custody of two of their three children and unrestricted access to the third child.
He accused Sarah of neglecting their children, claiming that this was the reason for their unkempt appearance.
He also urged the court to issue an order, restraining Sarah from threatening him and invading his privacy.
In her response, Sarah denied all the allegations levelled against her.
However, she expressed her willingness to end the marriage.
Gbolahan, in his testimony before the court, said: “I met my wife in 2017, and we had a customary marriage that same year. I did not pay her bride price.
“Sarah became unfaithful to me after we got married.
“She dated a tricycle driver, to whom she sent love messages on a daily basis.
“We fought over this, and it led to a strain in our relationship.
“I established her in business twice, but she ruined both ventures because of her extravagant lifestyle.
“My wife is hostile and was always at loggerheads with our neighbours.
“I got fed up with constantly settling quarrels between her and our neighbours.
“We lived in four different houses within eight years as a result of her troublesome nature.
“I was not spared from my wife’s cruelty. She fought with me continuously after she discovered that I was dating two ladies in my church.
“She also threatened me with a knife on several occasions because of this.
“I moved out of our matrimonial home because my life was obviously not safe with my wife.
“Sarah still refused to let me be. She humiliates me in public whenever our paths cross and verbally abuses me.
“I came to court to put an end to our relationship and her mistreatment of me.
“She neglects our children’s welfare, which is the reason they permanently look unkempt.
“I appeal for custody of our first two children while she retains custody of the third.
“I further request an order restraining her from threatening me and encroaching on my privacy.”
The court president, Mrs. S. M. Akintayo, adjourned the case for the defense.