An Ibadan-based trader named Tawakalitu Olayiwola requested a Mapo Grade A Customary Court on Wednesday to annul her 20-year marriage on the grounds of theft and assault.
Olayiwola said that she ended her marriage to Ganiu Olayiwola because her life was in danger as a result of her ongoing high blood pressure.
She said that since 2003, Ganiu had been hitting her without warning.
“He even attempted pouring acid on me, and this is the reason why I became hypertensive.
“Ganiu had never been a responsible husband to me and father to our three children.
“My Lord, he usually gives the three children and me N1,000 as feeding allowance for six months.
“Due to his lack of care, I worked very hard to keep the home going, especially the children, but Ganiu was unhappy with me.’’
She said, “in fact, I started denying him sexual intercourse because I used to be too tired when he made advances to me at night.
“As a result, he labelled me an adulterer and unleashed mayhem on me.”
Olayiwola further explained how her husband stole her television, money and mobile phone.
“I got Ganiu arrested by the police, and he was interrogated for stealing some of my property, but he denied it.
“However, I saw the same mobile phone he denied stealing with him when we got home from the police station.
“Ganiu has become a bad influence on our first child because the latter now displays his bad character,” she added.
The respondent, who did not oppose the suit, however, conceded that he truly beats his wife for constantly returning home late in the night.
“I was patient with Tawakalitu and warned her for three years, but she remained a disobedient wife.
“In fact, if she feels like discontinuing with me, Olayiwola is free,” Ganiu said.
In his judgment, the court’s President, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, held that there was no marriage to be dissolved in the first place between Olayiwola and Ganiu.
Akintayo explained there was no valid customary marriage between them based on the evidence available to the court.
She awarded custody of the three children in the union to the petitioner and ordered the respondent to take up the responsibility of feeding, schooling and medical needs of the children.
The president also gave an order restraining Ganiu from harassing, intimidating and interfering with the personal life of Olayiwola.
