Sola Olajide, a medicine vendor, on Friday prayed a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to end her 14-year-old cohabitation over alleged irreconcilable differences and lack of care.

Ms Olajide, a mother of two and a resident of the Olunde-Akala area in Ibadan, lamented “the miserable life” she had lived with her partner, Tunde.

According to her, Mr Tunde has always been difficult and oppressive.

“We always quarrel about minor issues every other day without a solution. At any slightest mistake, Tunde beats the hell out of me, leaving me helpless.

“In addition, he does not care for the well-being of the children and me. In fact, there is no more love between both of us.

“My lord, Tunde did not perform any essential marital rites on me,” Ms Olajide said.

Mr Tunde, a carpenter and resident of No.3 Elesinmeta Street, Apata Ibadan, who consented to the suit, was silent on all allegations against him.

“It is true; I merely went to see Olajide’s parents, and no formal handing over of the bride took place,” he said.

Delivering her judgment, the court’s president, S.M. Akintayo, held that there was nothing to dissolve between both parties.

Ms Akintayo added that no valid customary marriage took place between the duo, based on the evidence adduced by the parties.

According to the president, cohabiting and raising children together does not translate to marriage under Nigerian customary law and tradition.

She listed the essential marriage requirements as payment of bride price, consent of the bride’s parents or guardians, presentation of gift items to the bride’s parents or guardians and formal handing over of the bride.

Ms Akintayo, however, awarded custody of the two children produced by the union to the petitioner and directed the respondent to be responsible for their education and welfare.

She granted the order restraining Mr Tunde from harassing, threatening and interfering with the private life of Ms Olajide henceforth.

(NAN)