Our son caught my husband pouring black substance into my food, woman tells court

Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled in a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Bolanle, against her husband Babajide, whom she accused of irresponsibility, lack of love and care for her and their children, constant fight and domestic violence.

Bolanle stated that Babajide was cruel and in the habit of fighting and giving her heavy blows, which sometimes left her with swollen face.

The plaintiff added that the defendant attempted to kill her.

According to the plaintiff, one of their children told her that he always saw their father lacing her food with poison.

Bolanle also said that Babajide neglected her welfare and that of their children, which spurred her decision to walk out of their marriage with three out of their four children.

According to Bolanle, Babajide failed to give the only child left with him the needed attention.

The plaintiff explained that their child, according to his teacher, never got to school earlier than 10:00 am. on a daily basis, while he refused that he attended lessons after school hours.

She further said that her husband never ceased to threaten and beat her despite their living separately.

Bolanle said that Babajide sometimes waylaid and beat her black and blue.

She stated that their eldest child, a female, was not exempted from such a brutal treatment.

The plaintiff thus requested an order restraining the defendant from harassing, threatening, and interfering with her private life.

She also entreated the court for custody of their children in order that she might give them adequate attention.

Bolanle further requested an order directing her husband to be responsible for their children’s upkeep while quoting the sum of N20,000 as allowance for their feeding on a monthly basis.

The plaintiff further requested that the defendant make their children’s education and health care a priority.

Babajide denied all allegations brought against him but agreed to divorce.

The defendant refused that his wife had custody of their children. a

Babajide told the court that he could not afford more than N5,000 per month as feeding allowance for their four children.

Bolanle, in her evidence, said, “My husband and I started dating in 2004 after we met.

“He impregnated me while dating, but my parents handed me over to him after I put to bed, and he had paid my bride price.

“My husband started beating me from the outset of our marriage.

“He was rash and cruel. We therefore fought almost all the time.

“He was in the habit of punching and leaving me to nurse a swollen face.

“My husband wanted to get rid of me at all cost.

“One of our children informed me that he always saw his father lacing my food with a black substance in powder form.

“I confronted him the day I caught him and demanded that he ate out of the food, but he refused.

“I moved out of his house with three of our children when it was obvious that he would kill me.

“My husband, despite having just a child to cater for, failed in his duties towards him.

“His class teacher informed me that he always came late to school around 10:00 am, adding that he did not enroll for extra lessons after school hours.

“My husband is in the habit of waylaying and beating me to pulp.

“Our daughter, who is our eldest child, is not spared of such inhumane treatment.

“He also comes to my new place of abode to threaten and fight me.

“My lord, I came to court to have our marriage dissolved before he kills me.

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

“I also entreat the court to grant me custody of our children so that I can give them adequate care.

“I further request an order directing my husband to be responsible for our children’s upkeep by giving them N20,000 per month as feeding allowance.

“He should also be in charge of their education and health care.”

Babajide responded, “My lord, I agree to divorce, but I want the court to know that all my wife said about me are lies.

“I refuse that she has our children’s custody.

“Our son’s class teacher is a liar. He always left home early for school.

“He is not attending extra lessons in school because they are yet to commence this term.

“My lord, I cannot afford more than N5,000 per month as our children’s upkeep in case she is granted their custody.”

Ruling after she had heard both parties, the court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, stated that although they had a valid customary marriage and the bride price paid, the plaintiff had the right to be granted the relief she sought since she stated that she was no longer interested in their marriage.

Akintayo, therefore, dissolved their union, declaring that both were no longer husband and wife.

She granted custody of three of their children to the plaintiff since, according to her, they are still under age, while she stated that eldest being of age was free to decide whom she wanted to stay with between the two parents.

Akintayo further gave an order, restricting the defendant from threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.