Court dissolves clergyman’s marriage over wife’s alleged stubbornness

In his petition, the man said his wife insisted her mother come for postpartum care after the birth of their child instead of his mother.

News Agency of Nigeria • August 17, 2021

The 20-year-old marriage of a clergyman, Chijoke Ogu, was dissolved on Tuesday by an Igando Customary Court over his wife’s alleged stubbornness.

Delivering judgment, the president of the court, Adeniyi Koledoye, said the court was left with no option other than to grant the petitioner his prayer since he insisted on divorce even after several interventions.

In his petition, Mr Ogu told the court to end his 20-year-old marriage, claiming his wife was stubborn and never obeyed his instructions.

“After she was delivered of our baby, she insisted her mother must visit. I disagreed with her because her mother, who was old and sick, would be a burden on us.

“Besides, I didn’t have money to give her mother or buy things when she would be leaving.

“She disobeyed me and eventually sent for her mother without my consent. She stayed with us for two months.

“After her mother left, my mother came but my wife put up a different attitude and denied her food on so many occasions.

“I travelled to her hometown to report to her family but she refused to change,” Mr Ogu said.

In her defence, Chineye Ogu denied being stubborn but said that it was her right to choose who stayed to help her after she was delivered of a baby.

“It is our custom that the wife’s mother comes to assist in taking care of the baby.

”He initially suggested that his older sister come to stay with me. I refused because it would not sound well for me to send his sister on errands,” she said.

She said that her husband invited his mother without her knowledge.

She also said that her husband abandoned her and their child for over two years, claiming the elders in his church advised him to leave the marriage.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mr Chijoke and Chineye Ogu dissolved today. Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

“Each of you should go on his or her separate way unmolested. The court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours,” the president of the court pronounced.

Mr Koledoye further ordered the petitioner to take responsibility for the upkeep and education of their only child.

The president ordered Mr Ogu to pay a severance allowance of N250,000 to his wife to enable her to move on with her life.

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