An Igando Customary Court in Lagos Wednesday granted the request to dissolve the 30-year-old marriage of businessman Eric Frank, 56, after his wife denied him sex for four years.

Delivering Judgment, Adeniyi Koledoye, President of the Court, said following several failed attempts to dissuade Mr Frank, the court was obliged to accede to his request for divorce

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mr Eric and Ibeawuchi Frank dissolved today. Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

Mr Koledoye stated in his ruling that, “Each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested. The court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours.”

Listing several reasons why he approached the court, Mr Frank said, “My wife denies me my matrimonial rights. She also threatened to kill me so that she could inherit my property.

“My wife collected N420,000 from my tenant without my consent and never gave an account of the money. She is also a drunk and fetish.”

Responding to the accusations, the wife, Ibeawuchi, asked the court not to grant her husband’s wish for divorce, stating that she still loved him. 

According to her, the rent money of N420,000 from the tenant was used to renovate the family’s house. Accusing her husband of being fetish, Ibeawuchi said, “He brings different prophets to the house and also buries all sorts of things on the ground.”

A trader, Ibeawuchi, 45, was granted unhindered access to their four children, however, custody was given to Mr Frank for being better positioned to train them.

Granting the husband’s wish, the court ordered Mr Frank to pay N150,000 as severance fee to his ex-wife, and also pay her N200,000 for a new accommodation.