Justice Olugbani’s Son In Divorce Suit

Son of a former high court judge, Mr. Abolade Tolulope Olugbani, has filed a divorce petition against his wife at a Lagos High Court, seeking dissolution of the nine-year marriage.

Olugbani, a legal practitioner, alleged in his petition that he was lawfully married to Azeezat Tanimowo at a marriage registry on 9 November, 2002 and they were living together since then at 11, Simisola Street, Surulere, Lagos, till December 2008.

The petitioner also alleged that since 28 June, 2009, sexual relationship between them had ceased due to his wife’s cruelty as she never paid attention to his emotional needs but instead, was quarrelsome, insultive and persistently rude to him.

He averred further that his wife had on several occasions threatened and indeed, violated his body with injuries culminating to the irretrievable break down of the marriage as he has since stopped cohabiting with her since 28 June, 2009.

He therefore contended that his wife has behaved in such a way that he can no longer reasonably live with her and consequently urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him the custody of the three children produced by the union as he wished to bring them up in the Muslim faith, while also promising to allow the respondent free access to them.

However, in an answer under protest filed before the court by Barrister Olawale Salu on behalf of the respondent, Mrs. Olugbani urged the court to dismiss the petition and restore her to her matrimonial home after she denied almost all of her husband’s averments.

She stated further that sexual relationship between her and her husband did not cease due to her cruelty but as a result of the man’s extra marital affairs and his deliberate act of denial.

She also denied being quarrelsome, insultive and rude as well as unemotional to the wishes and aspirations of her husband, rather, she said it was her husband that always picked up a fight and looked for reason to beat her up.

Mrs. Olugbani alleged further that contrary to the averment of her husband that he stopped cohabiting with her since 28 June, 2009, it was the man who sent her out of the matrimonial home since 22 November, 2009.

She contended that she has been looking for ways and means of settling the matrimonial dispute because of their children as they are not being brought up in the Muslim faith as their father does not practise any religion which is adversely affecting the moral upbringing of the children.

In addition, the maintenance of the children is being hampered due to the lack of the petitioner’s care.

Consequently, she opposed the petitioner’s request for the custody of all the children as they will continue to lack proper parental care if left for their father.

The case has been adjourned for further hearing.