Court Dissolves Marriage After Husband Accuses Wife of Taking Marital Disputes to Radio Stations

A Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the customary marriage between Folaji and his wife, Ifedayo, citing irreconcilable differences and the need for peace.

The court president, Mrs S. M. Akintayo, while delivering judgment, held that the marriage had broken down beyond repair, noting that both parties had expressed their unwillingness to continue the union.

The plaintiff, Folaji, had approached the court seeking the dissolution of the marriage, alleging that his wife no longer loved him, was constantly quarrelsome, and sometimes violent.

He claimed that their marital crisis was worsened by disagreements over religious worship, stating that he attends a white garment church which his wife openly rejected.

Folaji further told the court that his wife concealed from him a health condition for years, which he only discovered after she was advised at the hospital to undergo a series of medical tests. He alleged that their disagreements escalated to frequent visits to police stations and radio stations, where his wife reportedly took their marital issues for public discussion, an act he said damaged his reputation.

According to him, the situation became unbearable, forcing him to leave the marriage. He prayed the court to dissolve the union, grant him unrestricted access to their children, and restrain his wife from threatening or interfering with his private life. He also pledged to provide weekly financial support for the children.

In her defence, Ifedayo agreed that the marriage should be dissolved but accused her husband of being inhumane. She told the court that Folaji deserted her while she was still hospitalized after giving birth to a set of twins and failed to visit or cater for their welfare thereafter.

She stated that the only support she received was a sum of N20,000 sent through her husband’s lawyer after the matter was taken to court, which she rejected as insufficient to cater for the needs of the twins. She urged the court to grant her custody of the children and compel her husband to be fully responsible for their feeding, education, and medical care.

In her ruling, Mrs Akintayo affirmed that a valid customary marriage existed between the parties, as bride price had been paid. However, she granted the divorce, declaring that the couple were no longer husband and wife.

The court awarded custody of the children to the defendant, noting that they were minors who required maternal care. The plaintiff was granted weekly access to the children and ordered to take full responsibility for their welfare.