A Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has heard the divorce suit brought before it by a man, Abayomi, against his wife, Abosede, whom he alleged was troublesome, aggressive and in the habit of fighting him.

Abayomi said that he had never enjoyed peace of mind for the 25 years he was married to Abosede.

Abayomi stated that he and Abosede were always at loggerhead because they never agreed on anything.

The plaintiff further said that the defendant always made their home too hot for comfort because of her aggressive behaviour.

Abayomi added that their relatives, friends, and his co-pastors often mediated in their differences to no avail.

Abayomi explained that Abosede was in the habit of biting him any time they fought.

He also said that there were times she locked him out of the house.

The plaintiff stated that the defendant attacked him the last time they fought and locked the door against him.

According to the plaintiff, they have been separated since then because she refused that he returned to the house.

Abayomi, thus, prayed the court to dissolve their union since their relationship had broken down irreconcilable.

Abosede gave her consent to divorce.

The defendant, contrary to what the plaintiff had earlier stated, explained that they had both enjoyed bliss in their marriage until the plaintiff, who is a pastor, impregnated a young lady in the church, who is a member of his congregation.

Abosede stated that Abayomi neglected her and refused to show her love and care when she was sick.

Abayomi, in his evidence, said, “My 25-year-old relationship with my wife has broken down irreconcilable.

“I, therefore, pray that this honourable court rule that we are no longer husband and wife.

“My wife and I never enjoyed each other’s company for the years we lived together.

“Her presence in the home brought distress to me instead of comfort. My wife is aggressive and difficult to live with. Our home offered no comfort because of her irrational behaviour. She fought me almost all the time.

“Our relatives and friends became regular faces in our home because they were always mediating in our differences. My co-pastors were not left out of this, but my wife always failed to honour or reverence them. She never gave a listening ear to their counsels and pleas. My wife was in the habit of biting me any time we fought. Also, there were times she locked me out of the house. She attacked me during an argument, and I ran for my dear life. She locked the house and refused me entrance. We have been living separately till then.”

Abosede responded, “I am also no longer interested in our union.

“One of the reasons I gave in to his marriage proposal was because he is a pastor, but his lifestyle does not fit into this calling.

“We celebrated our union with both a traditional wedding and a church ceremony. The church gave us a certificate which is kept by me. He also paid my bride price.

“We had a peaceful relationship in the outset of our wedlock, but unfortunately, this did not last. I believed that marrying a pastor would make my marriage feel like heaven on earth, but my husband proved me wrong.

“I got the shock of my life when I learnt that my husband had impregnated one of his congregations, a member of our church.

“Hell was let loose and things started to fall apart in our home. My husband and I constantly had heated arguments, which always resulted in a fight. He neglected me when I was sick and cared less if I died.

“I rented an apartment as a result of the strain in our relationship and did return home at weekends.

My lord, I did not lock him out. He moved to the lady’s house after she was delivered of his baby.

“He frustrated every attempt made by our relatives, friends, and his co-pastors to reconcile us. He told them he was no longer interested in our marriage. He later filed a divorce suit against me.”

The president of the court, Mrs S.M Akintayo, adjourned the case for judgment. (Saturday Tribune)

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