My wife became rebellious, left home at will — Husband

• He always collected my salary from me, insisted I aborted our 3-month pregnancy —Wife

A man, Olasunkanmi, has approached Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking that his 24-year-old union with his wife, Modinat, be dissolved on the account of no love and threat to life by the latter and also irreconcilable differences.

Olasunkanmi explained that his wife suddenly became rebellious and started making decisions contrary to his will.

The plaintiff stated that the defendant went out at will and became domineering.

Olasunkanmi added that Modinat always insisted that whatever decision she took concerning their children and other issues in the home was final.

According to Olasunkanmi, Modinat made his life miserable and their home too hot for comfort.

The plaintiff stated that the defendant later moved out of his house, and all attempts to reconcile both failed.

He stated further that his wife later took to threatening and fighting him at his workplace.

Olasunkanmi thus prayed the court to end their relationship and grant him custody of their children, who, according to him, had always been with him.

The plaintiff also pleaded for an order restraining the defendant from threatening and interfering with his private life.

Modinat denied all the allegations brought against him by her husband but agreed that their wedlock be dissolved.

The defendant described the plaintiff as heartless and cruel.

According to Modinat, any time she received her salary, Olasunkanmi would collect it from her.

This she stated went on for nine years

She further said that he insisted that she aborted a three-month-old pregnancy.

She added that he refused to pay her a visit while on admission for three months in the hospital.

Modinat pleaded for their children’s custody and entreated the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for their upkeep.

Olasunkanmi, in his testimony, said, “My wife and I courted for five years before we got married.

“Our wedding ceremony was conducted under Islamic induction.

“I thought I had known her enough, but unfortunately, this was not so.

"My wife suddenly changed.

“She became defiant and uncontrollable. She flouted my orders at will.

“Modinat was in the habit of going out without my permission and returning whenever it pleased her.

“The more I complained, the worse she became.

“My wife gradually usurped my position in the home.

She declared that whatever decision she made concerning our children and the home in general was final.

“I reported her to her parents who admonished her, but all the advice they gave her fell on a deaf ear.

“My wife refused that I had rest of mind; she made our home too hot for comfort.

“Modinat later walked out of our marriage and frustrated every effort at reconciling us.

“She later took to coming to my workplace to threaten and fight me.

“My lord, I pray that this honourable court put an end to our relationship.

“I further appeal that the court grants me custody of our children for they have always been with me except the one whom she took along with her.”

Modinat while responding, said, “My husband is wicked and cruel. He enslaved me for years.

“He always collected my salary from me anytime I was paid.

“He did this for nine years

"He also took from me all the money well wishers gave me during our children’s   naming ceremonies.

“My husband’s conscience is dead. He insisted that I aborted our three- month pregnancy, stating that he was not interested in having more children.

“Again, I was sick and on admission in the hospital for three months.

“My husband only checked on me after my parents rebuked him.

“My lord, I am also through with our marriage.

“I appeal to this honourable court to grant me custody of our children, but make my husband responsible for their upkeep.”

Giving judgment after she had heard both parties, the court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, granted the plaintiff his prayer.

She ruled that both the plaintiff and defendant ceased to be husband and wife.

Akintayo granted custody of their first two children to the plaintiff and the last to the defendant.

She further gave an order restraining the defendant from threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.