My husband beat me at work, demanded for my sack, woman tells court

* She is a liar, promiscuous - Husband

Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted the prayer of divorce of a woman, Tomilola, who dragged her husband, Ifemi to court, accusing him of irresponsibility, lack of care, constant fight and domestic violence.

Tomilola stated that Ifemi neglected her and their children, leaving them to starve.

She also said that he was in the habit of beating her, a practice she extended to her workplace.

She added that he went as far as seeking that her appointment was terminated at her workplace.

Tomilola appealed for their children’s custody while she requested that her husband be ordered to be responsible for their welfare, giving adequate attention to their feeding, education, and health care.

Ifemi agreed to divorce but refuted all that his wife said.

The defendant stated that the plaintiff was promiscuous, which was the root of the crises in their marriage.

He refused that his wife had custody of their children.

Tomilola, in her evidence, said, “My husband and I got married in April 2012, but my parents rejected the dowry he paid on me.

"My husband offered me nothing other than suffering and hardship in our marriage.

“He always shirked his responsibility in the home and left me to carry the home’s burden.

“My husband is violent. He not only beat me but always ensured he left me nursing wounds.

“He did not only beat me at home but also in my office.

“My husband soiled my reputation at work.

"He went further to request that my appointment be terminated.

“My lord, I moved out of our matrimonial home before I went into depression.

“I earnestly plead for the dissolution of our marriage and custody of our children.

“I further appeal to the court to mandate my husband to be responsible for our children’s upkeep giving feeding, education and health care a priority.

“I further request an order restricting him from threatening and interfering with my private life.

Ifemi, in his response, said: “My wife is a liar.

“She is promiscuous, which was the reason we fought every now and then.

“I was responsible for our children’s upkeep till she left my house.

“I pray the court to grant me our children’s custody. I will take them to my sister, who will give them adequate care.

“My lord, I cannot afford more than N20,000 for our children’s feeding in case the court decides to hand them over to my wife.”

Giving her judgment, the court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, dissolved their wedlock and handed over the children’s custody to the plaintiff.

The defendant was mandated to give their children N40,000 per month for their children’s feeding and be responsible for their education and health care.

He was also restricted from threatening, beating, and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.