On Friday, a middle-aged housewife, Olawumi Olasemo, prayed the Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her union to her estranged husband, Wale Olasemo, on the grounds of attempted money ritual and domestic violence.

Ms Olasemo told the court that she was saddened by her husband’s attempt to use their two children for a money ritual.

Delivering judgment, the court’s president, S.M. Akintayo, pronounced the marriage dissolved, noting that the evidence tendered by the petitioner indicated a valid customary marriage between the couple.

Ms Akintayo said the dissolution was in the interest of the couple and their children.

Quoting relevant sections of the law to back her judgment, Ms Akintayo awarded custody of the two children to Ms Olasemo. She ordered Mr Olasemo to pay N20,000 as the children’s monthly feeding allowance to the court.

Furthermore, she granted the order restraining the respondent from harassing, molesting and interfering with the private life of the petitioner. Also, the court president directed the two to be jointly responsible for the education and other welfare of the children.

Ms Olasemo had told the court she was afraid of her husband due to his bad attitude and lack of love for her.

“When I took note of Olasemo’s desperate attempt to use our two children for a money ritual, he became unhappy. He beat me. I parted ways with Olasemo about eight years ago, and he has since remarried.”

Mr Olasemo was absent from court.

The court noted that the respondent was duly served with originating summon and notice of a court hearing but preferred not to make an appearance. 

(NAN)