A Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned a divorce suit filed by a man, Adekola, against his wife, Olaitan, whom he accused of being troublesome, uncaring, unsupportive and violent.
Adekola also alleged that his wife is promiscuous, claiming that different men often dropped her at home late at night whenever he was out of town.
The plaintiff told the court that he once suffered financial setback after investing heavily in a business that eventually went bankrupt.
According to him, rather than showing sympathy and supporting him during the difficult period, Olaitan made life unbearable for him.
He alleged that his wife insisted that he refund the N100,000 loan given to him by her father during his financial predicament.
Adekola said he was forced to sell a piece of land to repay the loan, adding that Olaitan subsequently demanded that he invest the balance in her business and pressured him until he did so.
The plaintiff further told the court that their home had become “hellish” because his wife is aggressive and frequently engaged him in fights.
He alleged that Olaitan is violent and would attack him with any dangerous object within her reach.
Adekola said he would have been killed on one occasion when his wife allegedly pulled a knife on him during a fight and almost stabbed him.
He also alleged that, on another occasion, she attempted to break the windscreen of his car during an argument.
The plaintiff further expressed fear for his safety, alleging that his wife’s alleged promiscuous lifestyle had exposed him to danger.
Adekola said his wife was in the habit of dating other men who dropped her at home late at night whenever he travelled out of town.
He referred to an incident when he allegedly took pictures of his wife being assisted by her lover to climb the fence of their house after she returned late and found the gate locked.
According to Adekola, he had travelled out of town on a business trip but returned earlier than scheduled.
He said he met the house deserted and decided to lock the gate to their compound while waiting for his wife.
The plaintiff said Olaitan eventually returned late at night in the company of another man.
He told the court that his wife, upon discovering that the gate was locked, climbed the fence and jumped into the compound with the assistance of the man.
Adekola said he took pictures of the incident and had them as evidence.
He told the court that he was no longer interested in continuing the marriage and prayed for its dissolution.
The plaintiff also sought custody of their children and requested an order restraining Olaitan from threatening him or infringing on his privacy.
Olaitan denied the allegations levelled against her but agreed to the divorce.
Adekola, in his testimony, said:
“I got married to my wife in 2012 and did all I could to make her and our children happy.
“As we went deeper into our relationship, I began to discover my wife’s shortcomings.
“I discovered that she was troublesome and always refused to allow peace to reign in our home.
“She never listened to my counsel and was in the habit of turning every argument into a fight.
“Olaitan was not only aggressive but also violent.
“She always went wild during misunderstandings and would attack me with any dangerous object within her reach.
“She once attacked me with a knife and would have killed me after accusing me of not giving her sister money after she put to bed.
“Olaitan, at another time, attempted to break the windscreen of my car after she went wild while fighting me.
“My wife is unsupportive of me.
“She made my life horrible after my business went bankrupt and my financial situation deteriorated.
“She insisted that I refund the N100,000 loan I obtained from her father.
“I had no other alternative than to sell my land to repay the loan.
“Olaitan, despite being aware of my predicament, demanded that I invest the balance in her business.
“My wife has consistently made my life miserable because she never ceased to threaten me.
“I have recordings of her threats on my phone.
“My lord, my wife has been unfaithful to me.
“She is in relationships with other men who take her out and drop her at home late at night whenever I am out of town.
“I caught her red-handed not quite long ago after I returned from a business trip earlier than expected and found her absent.
“I waited endlessly for her return.
“She eventually returned late at night in the company of another man.
“She was surprised to find the gate locked and therefore decided to climb the fence and jump into our compound with the help of her lover.
“I took pictures of this scene and I have them with me as evidence.
“My lord, my wife has pushed me to the wall.
“I no longer desire to spend a second in marriage with her.
“I beseech this court to rule that we are no longer husband and wife.
“I also pray for custody of our children.
“My plan is to put them in boarding school.
“I further request an order preventing her from encroaching on my privacy.”
The court president, Mrs. S.M. Akintayo, adjourned the case for defense.