Mother Of 5 Seeks Dissolution Of Marriage

A mother of five, Mrs. Iyabode Ajape, has dragged her husband, Mr. Shaibu Ajape, a tailor before the Agege Grade ’A’ Customary Court, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, seeking the dissolution of their 23-year old marriage.

In her petition, she cited lack of love, incessant beating, stealing of her money, indifference to her feelings by her husband and lack of care for her and her children as factors responsible for her seeking divorce.

The petitioner said she is seeking dissolution of the union that has produced five children because the respondent accused her of killing their first born who fell sick at UNILAG and was rushed to the general hospital where he gave up the ghost.

“He will come to my shop and start abusing me. He will destroy my wares and accuse me of being fetish and that I am using charms to prevent him from prospering in life,” she stated.

She explained that the charms she made were for the protection of their children and the family as a whole and not to kill her child.

In his response, the defendant denied all the allegations against him but agreed to the dissolution of the marriage. He accused the petitioner of being responsible for the death of their firstborn due to her nonchallant attitude.

After listening to the parties, the president of the court, Mr. E.B. Shokunle advised the estranged couple to maintain absolute peace until the next adjourned date, 18 April, 2011.

—Ibrahim Bakare