An estranged husband, Ismail Adegoke, on Wednesday told the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, that he abandoned his matrimonial home because of his wife’s inclination for charms.

In his testimony, Mr Adegoke told the court that though his cohabitation with his wife, Tawa, had produced two children, he deserted his matrimonial home to save his life.

“As if that was not enough, I came across charms inside Tawa’s bag one day, and I challenged her, but she went mad with me and swore there would no longer be peace in the house,” he said.

Mr Adegoke testified that he was forced to move into his personal house due to his wife’s constant bickering and domestic violence meted out on him, his family members and co-tenants.

He told the court that he had done everything to satisfy Ms Tawa’s yearnings, including opening several shops for her at different times.

“It was as a result of her ceaseless domestic violence with people that my mother told me to go and complete my building.

“To stay alive, I abandoned my matrimonial home and rented an apartment until the dust settled,” Mr Adegoke told the court.

He pleaded with the court to grant his application for dissolution of the marriage as all entreaties from both families failed to assuage Ms Tawa’s anger and become remorseful.

But Ms Tawa, who did not oppose the application for dissolution of their marriage, however, accused Mr Adegoke of adultery.

“My lord, Adegoke womanises and ran away for a whole year with a lady called Auntie near our house,” she alleged.

Ms Tawa also accused her estranged husband of neglecting his fatherly roles.

“Worst still, Adegoke has been physically abusing me since 2003; in fact, I’m ready to part ways with him,” Ms Tawa added.

Delivering judgement, the president of the court, S.M. Akintayo, held that there was nothing to be dissolved between Mr Adegoke and Ms Tawa because there was no valid marriage between them based on the evidence available to the court.

Ms Akintayo, however, granted custody of the two children of the union to the respondent and directed the petitioner to be responsible for their medical and educational needs.

She ordered the duo to be jointly responsible for the welfare of the children. 

(NAN)