An Igando Customary Court in Lagos suburb has dissolved a 10-year-old marriage over the woman’s penchant for stealing.
A 45-year-old businessman, Mr. Mutiu Bamgbose, in his petition also accused his wife, Aliyah of infidelity.
Delivering judgment, the President of the court, Mr. Adeniyi Koledoye, held that it is obvious from available testimony and the respondent’s refusal to appear in court that the marriage had hit the rock.
“Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court processes despite being served severally.
“Therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the marriage.
“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mr. Mutiu and Mrs. Aliyah Bamgbose, dissolved today.
“Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.
“Each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested; the court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours,” he said.
Koledoye gave custody of the twin (girls) to the respondent and ordered Bamgbose to be paying N10, 000 monthly for their feeding.
The president gave the custody of the male child to the petitioner.
Bamgbose said: “My wife is a thief; she is not always satisfied with what I give her; she keeps stealing my money at will.
“The most painful was when she stole my N3 million and squandered it.
“Because of her habit, I started keeping my money in the ceiling but she will still enter the ceiling and steal it.
“When I could no longer condone it, I opened a bank account and she became angry and made life miserable for me.
“It is obvious that my wife does not love me; rather she is after my money.”
He aslo accused his wife, who failed to appear in court after being summoned severally, of adultery.
“She started having affairs with another man in our community; I approached the man and warned him seriously to steer clear of my wife.”
The petitioner said his wife abandoned her matrimonial home and took away all his belongings.
“I came home from work and met my house empty; she packed away all my property leaving only the chairs.
‘”She took our twin daughters with her and left the boy behind.
“Aliyah is fetish, there was a day I opened her bag, saw charms, I took it to the head of my family, she was summoned but she could not explained how she got the charm.”
– NAn