A woman in Ibadan has asked a Grade A Customary Court to dissolve her marriage, accusing her husband of neglect, violence, and disrespect toward her family, while he denies the claims and seeks reconciliation.
The Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned for judgment in a divorce case filed by a woman, Nura, against her husband, Malik. She accused him of neglecting their family, disrespecting her relatives, and subjecting her to physical abuse.
Nura told the court that Malik failed to support her and their children, leaving her and her mother responsible for their feeding and education. She claimed she struggled alone to pay school fees and hospital bills, recalling that Malik contributed only ₦5,000 when their son was hospitalized after a leg fracture.
According to her, Malik’s constant smoking and drinking made him unbearable, and whenever she refused him sex, he would beat her severely. She added that he once hurled stones at her mother, physically assaulted her sibling, and regularly bit her during fights, leaving scars on her body.
Nura insisted that she no longer felt safe in the marriage. She asked the court to dissolve their union, grant her custody of their children, and compel Malik to provide for their education, health, and welfare. She also sought an order preventing him from threatening, harassing, or interfering in her private life.
Malik, however, denied all her allegations. He argued that he had always fulfilled his responsibilities, including paying rent and school fees, except when his father fell ill, which drained his finances. He claimed that their eviction resulted from this temporary setback.
He admitted to beating his wife but said it was because of her “caustic tongue” and alleged that she often pulled his manhood during fights, forcing him to retaliate by biting her. Malik further accused Nura’s mother of fueling the conflict between them and demanding repayment of ₦80,000 she claimed to have spent on the children.
He maintained that he did not want a divorce and asked the court to help reconcile them. He also opposed granting custody of the children to Nura if the marriage was dissolved, alleging that she had abandoned Islam for Christianity and was actively involved in church activities.
After hearing both sides, the court president, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the matter until November 18 for judgment.
