A woman, Moriamo, has prayed Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, to end her wedlock to her husband, Tijani, on account of irreconcilable differences.
She also sought custody of the only child produced by their union.
Tijani was absent in court despite being served a court summon and court hearing.
Moriamo said, “My husband and I started living together shortly after we met.
“We did not carry out the expected marital rites, and he did not pay my bride price.
“Our union is blessed with a male child.
“A few months after I moved in with my husband, I realised that he was not only irresponsible but also difficult to understand.
“He failed to carry out his duty as breadwinner in the home.
“I labour daily to feed him and our child, and he felt good about it.
“I knew little or nothing about him all the years we were together because there was no rapport between us.
“He kept his activities away from me.
“Worse was his habit of deserting the home at will.
“My husband would leave home for months without leaving a clue as to his whereabouts and would surface again.
“I daily felt uncomfortable and unsafe living with a person who I regarded as a stranger.
“My husband stopped coming home a few months ago.
“He later came home while I was at work to remove all his belongings.
“My lord, I want to put my past behind and move on with life.
“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to dissolve my union with my husband and grant me custody of our child.
“I further plead that my husband be made responsible for our child’s feeding, education and health care among other things.”
The president of the court, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving judgment, stated that the court had no choice but to grant the plaintiff the relief she sought, considering the fact that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend himself, but that he stayed away from the court.
Ruling, Akintayo stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved since no customary marriage was held between the two, and no bride price was paid.
She granted the plaintiff custody of their child and ordered the defendant to be responsible for his upkeep, giving priority to his feeding, education, and health care.
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