A man, Akorede, has asked the Grade A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Damilola, over alleged domestic violence, constant quarrels and threats to his life.
Akorede told the court that his wife denied him peace of mind and made life unbearable throughout their relationship.
He alleged that Damilola was always confrontational, frequently picked fights over minor disagreements and often threatened him with a knife during arguments.
The plaintiff further claimed that his wife once threatened him with a cutlass during a church service in the presence of co-pastors and members of the congregation, an incident he said subjected him to public embarrassment and affected his ministry.
Akorede described his wife as a devil in disguise, alleging that she was financially irresponsible and wasteful.
He also accused her of excessive eating, claiming she regularly served herself large portions of food and took the biggest pieces of meat during meals.
According to him, he eventually moved out of their home after concluding that his life was no longer safe.
The plaintiff urged the court to grant him custody of their children, arguing that Damilola lacked the qualities required to raise them properly.
He also sought an order restraining her from harassing, threatening or interfering with his private life.
In her defence, Damilola denied all the allegations levelled against her but agreed that the marriage should end.
She said she regretted marrying Akorede, explaining that she had believed he would remain faithful because he is a minister of God.
The defendant accused her husband of betraying her trust by allegedly impregnating an 18-year-old member of his congregation.
She opposed Akorede’s request for custody of the children and asked the court to award custody to her instead.
Damilola also requested that the court compel her husband to take full responsibility for the children’s welfare, including their feeding, education and healthcare.
In her judgment, the President of the court, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, held that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no customary marriage had taken place and no bride price was paid.
The court ruled that the couple were merely cohabiting.
Mrs. Owoseni granted the plaintiff custody of the child and ordered the defendant to contribute N15,000 monthly towards the child’s feeding and upkeep.