After three different clerics revealed we were not compatible, I still married her. Now, I am trapped in a loveless marriage.” These were the words of a 50-year-old trader, Akintoye Oladejo, who is praying the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 25-year-old marriage to Folashade. He alleges that she frequently attacks him on trivial issues.
He said: “I have not known peace since I married Folashade. She publicly harasses my female friends because she thinks I am having extramarital affair. I was ashamed when my wife publicly referred to me as a thief for no reason.
“I first brought her case to court in 2009 to formally divorce her because we have been separated for six years but I was prevailed upon to withdraw the case after she agreed to change. Each time I return home with money, my wife steals from it.
“My wife gladly rented out a shop I locked when I was out of town. She doesn’t seek my permission at all. Her attitude disgusts me. Each time my children visit me, she beats them mercilessly. The last time they visited, my wife brought policemen to arrest me. Our second child was in my wife’s care when she got pregnant. How? Who? and where? I still don’t know. She seized our children’s phones saying they would inform me about what was happening in their house.
“After I had spent N80,000 to process our fourth child’s admission into the university, which was successful, my wife stopped him from accepting the admission. So, I want a divorce this time because my wife has refused to change for the better.”
Objecting to the divorce, 44-year-old Folashade said: ”The suffering started when he married another woman. I made a vow not to sleep with him since he married another woman after me. His wanting a divorce is because I refused to sleep with him and this has been like that for eight years. I don’t want our marriage dissolved because my children have no other father.
“Yes, I stole his money and rented out his shop because he doesn’t give us allowance.”
Their first child, who was present, pleaded with the court to settle her parents’ dispute.
The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, fixed a chamber discussion for the parties and adjourned the case till October 23, for judgment.
