A man identified as Olayiwola has approached the Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of his union with his partner, Arike. He accused her of infidelity, neglect of their only child and of being quarrelsome.
Olayiwola told the court that from the early stage of their relationship, Arike often left their three-month-old baby at home to go out without his knowledge. According to him, repeated warnings had no effect, and her behaviour deteriorated over time. He alleged that Arike contributed little or nothing to their child’s welfare as she grew older.
The plaintiff further claimed he found voice recordings on her phone of men inviting her to hotels and alleged that she used her landlord’s wife’s phone to receive calls from her lovers. He also told the court that one of these men rented a new apartment for her after her landlord asked her to leave his property.
Olayiwola asked the court to end the relationship and grant him custody of their daughter, saying Arike frequently denied him access to the child. He also sought an order preventing her from threatening or interfering with his personal life.
Arike denied the accusations but said she was willing to end the relationship. She told the court that she left her former apartment because Olayiwola stopped paying the rent, not because of misconduct. According to her, the case was filed because she requested an increase in the monthly allowance for their child from ₦15,000 to ₦30,000.
While Olayiwola said he had always fulfilled his responsibilities, such as paying school fees, attending school activities and handling medical needs, Arike opposed giving him custody. She argued that he had remarried and she would not allow another woman to care for her child while she is alive.
After listening to both parties, the court’s president, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, ruled that there was no valid customary marriage to dissolve, as no bride price had been paid. However, she acknowledged Olayiwola’s dedication to his daughter but held that, given the child’s tender age and gender, she should remain with her mother.
The court ordered Olayiwola to pay ₦20,000 monthly for the child’s upkeep and restrained Arike from threatening or interfering with his private life.
